New Year's Eve: Muskrat, horseshoe and even a goat will drop, and here's where to see them
While the Times Square Ball Drop in New York attracts thousands each year, you do not need to travel to the crush in the Big Apple to ring in the new year.
Right here on the Delmarva Peninsula, we have our own New Year's Eve drops, from the more traditional balls in Salisbury and Berlin to the more exotic muskrat in Princess Anne and a horseshoe in Chincoteague.
Also ringing in the new year — but with fireworks instead — is Ocean City at midnight in two locations.
So head out to an Eastern Shore town and ring in 2024 at family-friendly celebrations featuring music, food and fun.
Ocean City will have fireworks and more
This year, there will be two options to choose from, as the Eastern Shore resort town will be launching colorful fireworks into the sky at two separate locations on New Year's Eve.
Ocean City’s large fireworks display will take place downtown on the beach at midnight near Dorchester Street. The show will be accompanied by music at the Caroline Street Stage starting at 9 p.m. A smaller fireworks display will also be available uptown at Northside Park.
The town also offers free bus service on New Year's Eve, the resort town said in a news release.
Bus services will be free starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, until 3 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Bus service will run approximately every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and approximately every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. Jan. 1.
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Salisbury will feature a ball drop, live music and more
There will be a countdown to the ball drop, which will happen at midnight, with the free, all-ages event running from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The stage will be located near the Government Office Building on North Division Street.
Here's the live music schedule:
AMP Studio will perform from 9-9:45 p.m.
Uprizing will perform from 10-10:45 p.m.
Starlight Anthem will perform from 11:15-11:55 p.m. and after the ball drop until 12:30 a.m.
To learn more, visit www.DowntownSBY.com.
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Berlin will have not one, but two ball drops
Berlin's New Year's Eve celebration is set for 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., centered around 10 William St.
And there will be not one but two ball drops, one for the kids and one for grown folks.
The fun for children starts at 5 p.m. with music and cowbells, a laser show at 5:15 p.m. and a ball drop of their own set for 6 p.m.
Live music is set for 7:30-9:30 p.m., featuring the Rogue Citizens and the Calum Toner Band, then dance the night way with DJ Big Al Reno starting at 10 p.m. The late-night laser show starts at 11:15 p.m., with the big ball drop at midnight.
Visit Berlin's Facebook page to learn more.
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Snow Hill will, yes, really, have a goat drop
Make plans to get your New Year's Eve celebration started early with the annual goat drop in downtown Snow Hill.
This early bird celebration is perfect to get your night started, or for those who want to be snuggled up in bed long before midnight. The stuffed toy goat for 2023, Polka-Dot, will drop in to signal the beginning of 2024.
Festivities start at 5 p.m. and the official goat drop is at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Sponsored by Snow Hill Toys , this event will take place outside the Old Firehouse on Green Street.
Hot dogs, chips and sodas will be available while supplies last.
For more information, see the event listing on Facebook.
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Princess Anne is the place to see a famous muskrat drop
A stuffed muskrat will drop down a zip line at midnight on New Year's Eve to ring in 2024 in downtown Princess Anne in one of the more exotic Eastern Shore traditions.
Before that, there will be family-friendly festivities, music, and food and beverages starting at 9 p.m.
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Chincoteague Island will have horseshoe shop and more
The Pony Island Horseshoe Drop is an end of year celebration that culminates in a promenade of crazy costumes just before the countdown to the stroke of midnight. That's when the lighted horseshoe drops just in time to ring in the New Year in Chincoteague.
Wear your favorite costume or just be a spectator, and this year's theme is: Saltwater Cowboy Shenanigans.
To become totally immersed in the oddest of silly visual spectacles, head for the Robert Reed Downtown Park at 11 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in various categories.
Bring your camera to capture the spectacle, dress warm, wear a hat and gloves for sure, and comfortable shoes so you can shimmy and dance to the beat, then enjoy the one-of-a-kind horseshoe drop at midnight.
For more info, visit Chincoteague's events page.
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Cape Charles will get started early with the big Crab Pot drop
The 10th annual Dropping of the Crab Pot is set to ring in the New Year a little early in Cape Charles
The festivities are set for 9-10 p.m. on Mason Avenue.
For more information, visit the event page online.
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Celebrate New Year's Eve on Delmarva with muskrat, goat drops and more
