MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — People gathered on the campus of the University of Mount Olive on Wednesday to celebrate the New Year during the Mount Olive Pickle Company’s annual Pickle Drop, one of the first New Year celebrations in the nation.
Preparations for the event began early Wednesday morning, with crews setting up across campus to accommodate the large crowd expected for the nationally recognized tradition. By early afternoon, visitors began arriving, filling the campus with excitement ahead of the early evening countdown.
The highlight of the celebration came at 7 p.m. local time, marking the start of the New Year at Greenwich Mean Time. As the pickle was dropped, cheers erupted from the crowd, officially welcoming the New Year hours before midnight and continuing a beloved Mount Olive tradition.
The Pickle Drop once again showcased Mount Olive’s strong sense of community and its proud pickle heritage, offering a festive, family-friendly way for residents and visitors alike to ring in the New Year.
