Something 'famous' will drop at inaugural New Year's Eve event in Chambersburg
What object should Chambersburg drop to celebrate New Year's Eve?
That question has been asked over the years, especially as neighboring towns chose objects to drop (or raise) at their own New Year's Eve parties.
Now, Downtown Chambersburg Inc. and a certain "famous" local company have an answer.
A Martin's potato roll will drop at the climax of the inaugural New Year's Eve party in downtown Chambersburg on Dec. 31. Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe will sponsor the family-friendly event.
“I am ecstatic to announce this partnership with Martin’s to help bring such a fun and unique event to downtown by doing a ‘Potato Roll Drop’ with Martin’s Potato Rolls,” Sam Thrush, president of DCI, said in a news release. “I am thrilled to have so many businesses already signed on to help sponsor this event, and look forward to getting even more local businesses to participate.”
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to midnight at Chambers Fort Park, per the special event permit issued by the Borough of Chambersburg.
Thrush recently told the Public Opinion that DCI wanted to have the event in Memorial Square, but the borough preferred the nearby park for safety and logistical reasons. The park is northwest of the square, off North Main Street.
More details about this year's event will be announced over the coming weeks.
Organizers are taking "baby steps" and have their eyes set on growing the event over the years, Thrush said.
More:Christmas parades, Baby Shark and more events in Franklin County this November
Thrush and Wendy Cowan, marketing manager at Martin's, first announced the event in a Facebook Live earlier in October.
"I'm hoping that this becomes a tradition for years to come," Cowan said.
American Print Solutions will create the "potato roll" that will be dropped, and Shafer Equipment Co. will serve as the equipment operator for the drop and the event overall, according to the news release.
Martin's has deep roots in Chambersburg
Chambersburg has been the home of Martin's Pastry Shoppe since its first days in the mid-20th century, when founders Lloyd and Lois Martin began baking potato rolls and selling them at local stores. From its headquarters and main bakery off Pa. 316 in Guilford Township, today Martin's sells its growing range of products around the country and beyond.
The company is currently expanding its Chambersburg bakery to add new production lines. The project was the site of a structural collapse in August that killed a construction worker.
More:OSHA investigating fatal building collapse at Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe
Other local NYE events
Organizations in Franklin County and Hagerstown, Md., will continue hosting family-friendly New Year's Eve events to ring in 2023 a little early so kids can celebrate the new year before bedtime.
Mainstreet Waynesboro will host its annual Boro Blast at Main Street Park, 25 E. Main St., Waynesboro. This event goes from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The event ends with a balloon drop. Past years have also featured drops of objects representative of local businesses, such as a shoe (for downtown business James Shoes) last year and a Waynesburger (for the Waynesburger restaurant)
In Shippensburg, Drop the Anchor has been ringing in new years since Dec. 31, 2001. Hosted by the Rotary Club, a big, lit-up anchor is lowered at midnight at King and Earl streets. Details about this year's event are not yet available.
In Hagerstown, the Middletown Valley Bank Krumpe's Donut Drop will celebrate its 10th year. The event in the city's square begins at 5 p.m. and goes until a giant Krumpe's Donut drops at 7:59.
Event sponsorship opportunities for Chambersburg's event are still available. Email Sam Thrush at sthrush@chambersburg.org for additional information.
Amber South can be reached asouth@publicopinionnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Martin's Potato Rolls will drop big bun in Chambersburg New Year's Eve
