New Year's Eve festivities in central Pa.: Rose, pickle and shoe among items to be dropped
Ready to ring in 2023?
Some festivities, such as the White Rose Drop in York, had to be canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others were scaled back.
But the family-friendly celebrations appear to be in full swing this year with live entertainment and more planned.
Joyce Dusman, chairperson of First Night Hallam/Hellam, said a small crowd turned out for the New Year's Eve event last year, but she thinks it is going to be better this year. The festivities will include entertainment and a shoe drop at midnight.
"I think it's a great event for a small town," she said. "It gives back to the community."
Here are a variety of places to ring in the new year:
York City: White rose drop
Head to Continental Square in York to see the white rose drop at midnight.
The event runs from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. It will include music and a fireworks display.
The entertainment lineup is:
9:30 to 10 p.m.: DJ GiGi Marrero
10 to 10:15 p.m.: Warming up with some Zumba with Gina Nunez
10:30 to 11:15 p.m.: RalphReal & The Family Jam (The band will be dropping its new album the same day.)
11:15 to midnight: DJ Knowledge
Streets around the square will close at 9 p.m. No parking is allowed after 5 p.m.
Harley-Davidson and Downtown Inc are sponsoring the event.
Dillsburg: Pickle drop
New Year's Eve revelers can eat some pickle soup before the pickle drops at midnight during the festivities in Dillsburg.
The indoor activities at Dillsburg Elementary School return this year, said Chad Reed, treasurer of the Dillsburg Community Association. Children's games will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m., and families can watch the"Baby Pickle Drop" at 7 p.m. Bingo will be offered from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Food, including the pickle soup, will be sold at the school as well.
Later in the night, people can watch the big pickle drop and a fireworks display near the Ace Hardware Store on South Baltimore Street.
Gettysburg: Abe Lincoln's hat
The New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Gettysburg will include a new tradition: Raising Abe Lincoln's lighted stovepipe hat at midnight.
The event, which will be held in the square from 6 p.m. to midnight, will include music, children's activities and fireworks at midnight, according to news release. Food trucks will be at the festivities, and restaurants, such as the Blue and Gray and The Gettysburger, will be open.
The 14-foot aluminum hat will bear Abe Lincoln's name.
Hallam: Shoe drop
First Night Hallam/Hellam will be held from 7 p.m. until midnight.
The free event includes entertainment, such as a magician, a critter program, crafts, local guitarist Kerry White and more, said Joyce Dusman, chairperson of the group. Food, such as soup and sandwiches, will be for sale at the fire house, and raffles will be offered.
Most of the activities are held in the area of the fire company, 163 E. Market St. Bingo will be offered nearby at Trinity United Church of Christ.
Cleaning supplies for Bell Socialization Services will be collected during the event. Those who donate will receive a ticket for a drawing.
The new shoe will drop at midnight. Den's Service Center has volunteered to drop the shoe for the event.
Harrisburg: Strawberry drop
The capital city will drop a strawberry and set off fireworks on New Year's Eve.
For families, a Countdown to Kid-Night will be offered at 9 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center, 10 N. Second St. It will feature a big balloon drop, milk and cookies toast and more.
The strawberry drop will be in front of the Hilton Hotel, across the street from city hall, said Matt Maisel, director of communications for the city.
Market to Walnut streets will be closed from 6 p.m. until after the fireworks.
Will central Pa. see a white Christmas?:Will central Pa. see a white Christmas? The odds are increasing with a potential storm.
Hershey: Kiss raise
A full day of events are planned for New Year's Eve Hershey, and it will end with a kiss being raised at midnight.
The festivities include bubble wrap stomps, a dance party, live entertainment, and food. Most of the events are held in ChocolateTown Square, which is located at Chocolate and Park avenues.
An immersive display will follow the raising of the Hershey Kiss.
For a full schedule, visit www.hersheynewyearseve.org/schedule.
Lancaster: Red rose drop
Lancaster will be dropping its red rose at midnight.
The event, which includes live music, is held in Binns Park in the 100 block of North Queen Street.
Take a drive:Where to see great Christmas light displays in central Pa. in 2022
Mechanicsburg: Wrench drop
This family-friendly event, which starts at 9 p.m., features music by a disc jockey, a silent auction, commemorative wrench sales and glass blowing classes.
The countdown for the wrench drop starts at 11:30 p.m. at the Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Department,53 E. Main St.
The wrench will drop at midnight.
Red Lion: Cigar drop
Festivities are scaled back this year as the event was nearly canceled. Ian Montgomery, president of the Red Lion Area Business Assocation, said he and a group of volunteers saved the New Year's Eve tradition.
The event starts at 11:30 p.m. and runs through midnight. A disc jockey will serve as master of ceremonies and confetti cannons, just like the ones in New York City, will be used to ring in the new year.
The event is held at 11 E. Broadway, Red Lion.
City of York survey seeks input on special events
The City of York is asking residents, visitors and businesses to take a survey about special events.
York City Special Events, the planning committee, is working on events being planned in 2023, including New Year's Eve, Mother's Day, Yorkfest and more.
The survey will be used to take a look at events and shape them, according to a news release.
To take the survey, visit https://trimothy.typeform.com/YCSESurvey. It will be open until Jan. 5.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: New Year's Eve in central Pa.: Rose, kiss, pickle, shoe drops planned
