I love everything about quirky and weird travel, especially when it showcases their communities. Roadside attractions usually come to mind but I also enjoy festivals and at this time of year, New Years Eve drops. No, we don't just drop balls to ring in the new year!
Wisconsin does have a few fun things we drop, so check these out! If you can't make it to a drop or are looking for something different (or something that goes later into the night) check out your local chamber of commerce events page for NYE events, like Destination Madison, Explore LaCrosse, or Discover Green Bay.
Plymouth Cheese Drop
Hosted by the Plymouth Arts Center and Sartori in the "Cheese Capital of the World", the Plymouth cheese drop is one of the most Wisconsin ways you can ring in the new year. We rung in 2023 in Plymouth during a very icy New Year's Eve and had a blast (and ate a lot of cheese). There was also a dance inside but there were so many people it was hard to dance! There is live music, a bonfire, hot cocoa, and limited cheese bags for families. The cheese drops at 10pm, making it a little easier for the kiddos or if you want to drive back home like us.
You can learn more about the drop here
Door County Cherry Drop
Sister Bay hosts the Door County Cherry Drop and it is a PARTY. There is a shopping extravaganza, ice skating, bonfire, dining specials, fireworks, and THEN the Lodge Cherry Drop portion of the evening starts at 10:30pm. This is a drop that actually happens at midnight. So if you're like me, don't forget to caffeinate.
You can learn more about the drop here
Prairie du Chien Carp Drop
Prairie due Chien, the oldest community on the upper Mississippi river, hosts an annual carp drop. Now, originally, this used to be a bigger event held in Lucky Park along with a month long event called "Carp Fest". A frozen 20-30 pound frozen and decorated carp named "Lucky" caught earlier in the year would be slowly dropped by a crane. The carp was seen as a symbol of good luck so everyone would line up to kiss the frozen carp. The carp was then buried in the park under a new tree in the Spring.
Today, "Carp Fest" is about a week long celebration held in Hoffman Hall. The carp drop seems to have changed: it is a blown up carp lowered in a gymnasium. The carp drop is around 5pm which is perfect for families and those driving distances. I haven't been able to find any sources that the frozen fish is still dropped, but would love to see it! But thank you to the Parks and Recreation team who keeps this version of the event running!
You can learn more about the drop here
Monroe Cheese Drop
Hey, its Wisconsin, of course we gotta drop more than one cheese drop! Plus, this one is Limburger since Monroe is home to the only Limburger cheese factory in the entire United States. Cheese, root beer, hot chocolate will be available. Like all Green County events, Alphorn players and a swiss cow will be there. The cheese drops at 5pm leaving plenty of room for bar hopping the square afterwards or to drive away from the stinky cheese into your fresh new year.
You can learn more about the drop here
If you want to wander the state line for the bobber drop in Minnesota or see the Taco Bell taco drop in Arizona, you can check out this wonderful map of all the US NYE drops at this website.
*Like with all things on the internet, do research before you go to make sure it is happening or look to see if you can find more!
Happy New Year and Happy Trails!
~The Tacky Tourist
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