Pottsville welcomes 2023 with Yuengling Lager bottle raise in Garfield Square
Jan. 2—POTTSVILLE — Ten seconds before midnight, the crowd in Garfield Square began the traditional countdown as the replica of a Yuengling Lager bottle inched up a flagpole.
At the stroke of 12, Mayor Dave Clews shouted "Happy New Year!" At the same time, fireworks went off in the distance and bursts of confetti floated over the square.
And, Marcus Correa streamed it all on Facebook Live.
"We're here in Pottsville, the music's playing, kids are dancing in the street and we're having a good time," announced Correa, a Shenandoah resident who attended the Pottsville festivities for the first time.
Pottsville's current way of welcoming in the new year, which is in its 18th year, drew roughly 200 people, who lined the sidewalks on both sides of the square.
The mood appeared upbeat, despite earlier rain that posed a potential threat to the event. The rain stopped around 11 p.m. and the temperature was on the mild side, given the recent cold spell.
Jon Walskey sported a top hat, and his wife, Veronica, wore a tiarra with "Happy New Year 2023" on it.
The Walskeys added the raising of the Yuengling bottle to a long list of New Year's events they have attended over the past eight years.
They did the bologna drop in Lebanon, the mushroom drop in Kennett Square, the wrench drop in Mechanicsburg, the pepperoni drop in West Virginia and the sled drop in Duncannon, to name just a few.
Earlier Saturday night, the Walskeys attended the doughnut drop in Hagerstown, Maryland, then drove two hours to witness the Yuengling bottle raising.
"It's just something we do to celebrate the new year," said Jon, 57, a mechanic in Fayette County.
Veronica, 53, an insurance agent, pleaded guilty to being an incurable optimist.
"I always look on the brighter side," she said. "I have my fingers crossed that 2023 will be a better year."
As the sound of "Auld Lang Syne" drifted across the square, David Willis' thoughts turned to Times Square.
"This is the song that reminds me of 'Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve,' " said Willis, 30, a Girardville pizza chef.
Cheryl Ricigliano and her daughter, Sarah, were first-timers at the celebration.
Cheryl texted photos to her sister, a Saint Clair native who lives in Florida.
Asked what she saw in the future, Cheryl's thoughts turned to the past.
Seven years ago, Sarah had a bout with brain surgery. Now 24, she recovered and graduated in June from Penn State University with a degree in human development.
Cheryl credits an outpouring of support from family, friends and even strangers for helping in Sarah's time of need.
Turning to her daughter, she said: "We've already been blessed. I can't ask for anything better than that."
Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007
