Wisconsin Gets Creative For Alternative Takes On The Big Times Square Ball Drop

People in New York City have been lowering a lighted ball at midnight since 1907, but folks in Wisconsin have a bit more imagination.

First we go to Prairie du Chien, where something fishy is going on.

[[{“fid”:”1101246″,”view_mode”:”full_width”,”fields”:{“alt”:”\”Carpfest\” in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”title”:”\”Carpfest\” in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”4″,”format”:”full_width”,”alignment”:””,”field_image_caption[und][0][value]”:”%3Cp%3ECarp%20Fest%20in%20Prairie%20du%20Chien%20is%20a%20family-friendly%20way%20to%20ring%20in%20the%20new%20year.%20%3Cem%3EPhoto%20by%20Mike%20Ulrich%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A”,”field_image_caption[und][0][format]”:”full_html”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”},”type”:”media”,”field_deltas”:{“4”:{“alt”:”\”Carpfest\” in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”title”:”\”Carpfest\” in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”4″,”format”:”full_width”,”alignment”:””,”field_image_caption[und][0][value]”:”%3Cp%3ECarp%20Fest%20in%20Prairie%20du%20Chien%20is%20a%20family-friendly%20way%20to%20ring%20in%20the%20new%20year.%20%3Cem%3EPhoto%20by%20Mike%20Ulrich%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A”,”field_image_caption[und][0][format]”:”full_html”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”}},”link_text”:false,”attributes”:{“alt”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”title”:”Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien is a family-friendly way to ring in the new year.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”4″}}]]“We’ve been dropping Lucky the Carp every New Year’s Eve for 19 years now,” said Mike Ulrich, director of Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation. “Lucky got its name in a naming contest the inaugural year. In China the carp is a lucky fish so that’s where it comes from — to give us good luck for the new year.”

Ulrich explained the big event has evolved over the years. The event originally took place outside. Over the last 10 years, it’s become Carp Fest and moved inside, featuring a variety of activities in the lead up to the big carp drop.

But is the carp real?

“Well, it used to be a real carp, when we did it outside,” Ulrich said. “Because of moving the event indoors, it’d be tough to drop a real fish. It looks very real though, and all the other ceremonies remain — everybody still gets a chance to kiss the carp for good luck!”

Ulrich said it’s a family-oriented event at heart, featuring carp coloring and other games for kids, singing and “an early-fish drop.”

Attendees with an adventurous palate can also sample carp along with other carp-themed treats, like popcorn and hot chocolate. They also crown an official Carp King and Carp Queen. For more information on ringing in the new year with a kiss from Lucky the Carp, visit https://www.carpfest.org/.

Next is Plymouth, the official “cheese capital of the world,” said Donna Hahn, executive director of the Plymouth Arts Center, where they drop … yep, you guessed it … “The Big Cheese.”

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The tradition is in its 13th year, Hahn said.

“The Big Cheese gets dropped at 10 o’clock so families and kids can come out and enjoy the festivities,” Hahn said. “And we still keep the celebration going until midnight, with a champagne toast.”

Other activities include live music, dancing, a cheese display as well as a bonfire and hot chocolate to warm up with outside. The event is free, and the first 250 folks to arrive receive a cheese gift bag, donated by the Sartori company. For more information on a cheesy way to ring in the new year, visit https://www.plymoutharts.org/Event.php?s=new-years-eve-in-the-cheese-capital-of-the-world-12-31-2019.

The last stop is Sister Bay in Door County.

[[{“fid”:”1101241″,”view_mode”:”full_width”,”fields”:{“alt”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”title”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”3″,”format”:”full_width”,”alignment”:””,”field_image_caption[und][0][value]”:”%3Cp%3EDoor%20County%20rings%20in%20the%20new%20year%20with%20a%20Cherry%20Drop%20at%20midnight%20in%20Sister%20Bay.%20%3Cem%3EPhoto%20courtesy%20of%20Jaime%20Forest%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A”,”field_image_caption[und][0][format]”:”full_html”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”},”type”:”media”,”field_deltas”:{“3”:{“alt”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”title”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”3″,”format”:”full_width”,”alignment”:””,”field_image_caption[und][0][value]”:”%3Cp%3EDoor%20County%20rings%20in%20the%20new%20year%20with%20a%20Cherry%20Drop%20at%20midnight%20in%20Sister%20Bay.%20%3Cem%3EPhoto%20courtesy%20of%20Jaime%20Forest%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A”,”field_image_caption[und][0][format]”:”full_html”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”}},”link_text”:false,”attributes”:{“alt”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”title”:”Door County rings in the new year with a Cherry Drop at midnight in Sister Bay.”,”class”:”media-element file-full-width”,”data-delta”:”3″}}]]“Well, it’s Door County, so of course we drop a giant cherry,” said Jamie Forest, vice president of business development with FM 106.9 The Lodge radio station, which organizes the event. “It’s about a 7-foot diameter sphere that’s adorned with big red lights. We hoist it up onto a 120-foot crane, hope it’s not very windy and wait for the countdown.”

Forest said they are committed to keeping with tradition and the official cherry drop time is at midnight. There are also fireworks and ice skating in the area earlier in the evening.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for the community to come out and have a fun celebration,” Forest said. “The first year we raised about $500 for a local secret Santa that helps people with home heating bills in the winter.”

And regardless of likely lower temperatures and wintry conditions, the party goes on.

“We just dress for the weather and make it happen,” Forest said.

For more information on ringing the new year with a cherry on top, visit https://cometosisterbay.com/event/new-years-eve-fireworks-and-cherry-drop/.