MOUNT OLIVE —With a spot on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice for Best New Year’s Eve Drop, the Mount Olive Pickle Drop is in its final stages of planning for Dec. 31.

As in recent years, the 23rd annual event will be staged in front of the University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena, and the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department will 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 starts with live music and food trucks at 5 p.m., and the New Year’s Eve Pickle makes its descent at 7, followed by fireworks. The whole event is over by 7:30.

“We believe USA Today editors chose the Pickle Drop for recognition because this is such a family-friendly event,” said Lynn Williams, public relations manager for Mt. Olive Pickle. “We have lots of families with children, as well as senior adults, who can enjoy a good New Year’s Eve event early. And those of us organizing it enjoy being home in bed long before midnight.”

Presented by Mt. Olive Pickle, with help from the Town of Mount Olive and the University of Mount Olive, the event celebrates Mount Olive’s most famous product. Marking its 98th year in early 2024, Mt. Olive Pickle manufactures and sells the best-selling brand of pickles in the US.

“We were thrilled to be included with other amazing New Year’s Eve Drops around the country for voting and recognition. Each one celebrates what makes their communities unique,” Williams said. “We love what we do at Mt. Olive, and we enjoy celebrating with everyone here in our hometown on New Year’s Eve.”

Live music by Selma-based band Wild Ride starts the evening, which includes 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.

If you are planning to attend, the physical address is the University of Mount Olive, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, in front of the George and Annie Dail Kornegay Arena. Ample parking is available on the university campus, and handicapped parking is available at the arena.

Remember to bring your own chairs or a blanket for sitting, as well as a donation of canned food or money to the Food Bank.

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.