MOUNT OLIVE, NC— The New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop returns for its 25th edition on Dec. 31, and for the second year in a row, it has been nominated in the USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards.

The Pickle Drop was voted #7 among the 10Best New Year’s Eve Drops in 2023 from a field of 20 events.

Online voting for this year’s contest opened on Nov. 11 and closes on Dec. 9.

The Pickle Drop will be staged in front of the University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena, and the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department will again assist with Tower 23, its ladder truck. From the tower, the glowing New Year’s Eve Pickle descends into a giant pickle jar.

The event continues its signature early schedule: everything gets underway at 5 o’clock, and the pickle descends at 7 o’clock sharp. A fireworks display immediately follows, and, the whole thing is over by 7:30.

“Our early evening celebration makes it ideal for families and older adults,” said Lynn Williams, Mt. Olive Pickles spokesperson. “And then there’s everyone else who wants to celebrate New Year’s Eve and still be home in bed well before midnight.”

Live music will be presented by ThrowBack Collaboration Band, which performs old-school rhythm and blues. The evening will also feature free pickles, food trucks, and a chance to win door prizes for those who contribute to the annual canned food drive for Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.

The New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop, first held in 1999 and attended by a handful of Mt. Olive Pickle employees, annually draws several thousand.

For those who can’t make it in person, watch it live on New Year’s Eve on the web at mtolivepickles.com.