Mount Olive rings in the New Year with famous pickle drop

One of the most 'dill-lightful' events of the year in Mount Olive returned on Dec. 30, 2021.

Families with young children lined up to watch the pickle will drop at 7 p.m. sharp instead of right before midnight.

"It's early, and that's always been a big draw for families and older people who don't want to be out later, and it's just a really great crowd and atmosphere," said Mt. Olive Pickle Company spokeswoman Lynn Williams.

After the pickle dropped 45 feet into the pickle jar and signals the beginning of a new year, fireworks were be set off for the end of the celebration.

More than 600 free pickles were handed out from the company on Friday night.

Prizes were also be given out after the fireworks. Those who wanted to enter into the drawing either donated canned goods or made a financial contribution to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

Over $10,000 was raised during last year's virtual pickle drop and food drive. The grand prize this year was a pool pickle similar to the one used in the drop.

Williams said while the event has always been a draw for those local to the area, they also consistently get visitors from out of the state and even the country.

"The event's on everybody's bucket list of folks that kind of want to do something different every New Year's, so it's always amazing to see how many people are there and where they're coming from," said Williams.

The pickle drop began in 1999 by a handful of employees at Mt. Olive Pickle Company. Before 2019, the event was held at the company's headquarters on Cucumber Boulevard.

"It was eight of us, and it just really grew from there," said Williams. "I think it's always been very organic and fun, and it's like everybody there is sort of in on the same joke that we're all here watching a pickle drop."

The event was shifted to the University of Mount Olive's campus in 2019, since the company had a construction project that made it difficult to hold the event on Cucumber Boulevard. Williams said they're happy to be able to hold the event at the university again since it allows more people to attend.

"We did our 20th anniversary event in 2019 [at the university], and it was so nice, and we had so much more room, and it was much easier for people to park," said Williams. "So, we're delighted that the university is letting us come back."

Last year's event was virtual only because of the coronavirus pandemic, but those who are unable to attend the pickle drop this year can still watch it online.