Try “Droppin’ of the Carp” to Bring in the New Year

By Pam

I recently read an article about the 10 best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve in. Of course there were the usual suspects- New York, Las Vegas, Paris, Tokyo and so on.  I have just one word to say to all of that. BORING!

If you’re looking for a non-traditional way to ring in the New Year, I am going to share a well-kept secret of where a great time can be had. The festivities is called Droppin” of the Carp and it takes place in beautiful Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The event started 10 years ago has become popular in the Midwest with the local motels booked full months in advance.

There are many activities throughout the month of December that lead up to the big event on New Year’s Eve including the actual catching of the carp. That carp was chosen because the city of Prairie du Chien is nestled on the Mississippi river. Every year the carp is given the nickname of “Lucky” because locals had learned that Chinese people believe that eating Carp on New Years was lucky.

There is also a local King and Queen chosen and the criteria for becoming the Carp King and Carp Queen are:

• You must have impeccable taste
• Must have an affinity to muddy water
• Should be pretty good looking
• Must know what end to hold a fishing pole
• Has had many unplanned catch and releases
• Has thought of making jewelry out of Carp scales
• Knows the local DNR warden by his first name
• Must have a freezer that smells like the Mississippi River
• Has used the Carp tail for a fan to cool off with
• Thinks a Carp is really pretty.

It is a fun filled night for all family members and after the drop you have the opportunity to kiss Lucky and have your picture taken before he is buried under a tree with a marker bearing his name and number. There are also fireworks to enjoy.

Some other unusual items dropped to bring in the New Year include:

• Dropping of the Acorn –  a 1,250 pound copper and steel acorn in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Dropping of Mr. Pickle in Dillsburg, PA.
• Dropping of the Popcorn Ball in Marion, Ohio (my dad would love this one).
• Dropping of the Wrench in Mechanicsburg, PA.
• Dropping of the Peach in Atlanta, Georgia.

These are just a few of the unusual “drops” on New Year’s Eve. Do you know of any others? What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?