Mushroom Drop continues to be lively however will likely be totally different as a consequence of COVID restrictions as a consequence of Coronavirus

KENNETT-SQUARE – The pandemic has forced the cancellation of almost every event involving more than 25 people. Although two vaccines promise to bring life back to normal sometime next year, the virus is leaving a farewell shot by forcing changes to the popular Mushroom Drop in Kennett Square.

The giant 500 pound stainless steel LED mushroom is still being dropped, but for the first time in eight years it will no longer descend from its traditional location on the streets of State and Union. This year, due to COVID restrictions, it will be dropped off in the huge Genesis parking lot on Route 82 near Kennett High School.

Kathi Lafferty, who heads Midnight in the square, said visitors can see the drop from the comfort of their vehicles in the parking lot. The event will also be broadcast live on the Mushroom Festival and Midnight in the Square Facebook pages. The entertainment will also be broadcast live.

“While this year may be a little different from the past, let’s celebrate and say hello to a brand new year,” said Lafferty. “Take a takeaway from your favorite Kennett restaurant and enjoy the safety and warmth of your car or home.”

If viewers don’t get out of their cars on Thursday night, the chances are the crowd singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” while the mushroom is falling chances not happening this year.

The organizers are asking Chester County residents to send their favorite photos from past midnight events in the square to themushroomfestival@gmail.com, which will be included in a slideshow that will be broadcast live during the event.

The Mushroom Drop isn’t the only unique New Year ceremony in all of Pennsylvania. Here is a selection of some of the others that usually take place, although the pandemic is forcing changes in the way they are carried out this year:

RECYCLED BALL – PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Pittsburgh ushers in the New Year with a raise of the ball minutes before midnight, followed by fireworks. The Future of Pittsburgh ball is a 1,000 pound lighted ball made entirely from recycled materials. This symbolizes Pittsburgh’s continuing ambition to be a “green” city.

BUTTON – CARLISLE, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

A 50-pound aluminum-framed button accented with LED lights usually contains live music and art exhibits, and closes with fireworks.

KEY – MECHANIKBURG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The city of Mechanicsburg celebrates the New Year from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the annual wrench drop on Main Street. The tradition commemorates the district’s founders – mechanics who settled in the area in the early 19th century to make and repair cars.

STRAWBERRY – HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY

The Harrisburg New Year’s Eve celebration hosts thousands of people in the state capital. Sixty seconds before midnight, a giant, lighted strawberry begins its descent from the top of the downtown Harrisburg Hilton to ring in the new year.

HERSHEY’S KISS – HERSHEY, DAUPHIN COUNTY

Start the New Year in “the cutest place on earth!” Hershey’s Kiss Raise is ranked second by USA Today Travel for Great Places for a Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve. This famous chocolate town is doing everything it can to celebrate New Years Eve in Hershey. A Hershey’s Kiss is set off at 11:59 p.m. and a midnight fireworks display rounds off a family-friendly night in downtown Hershey.

RED ROSE – LANCASTER, LANCASTER COUNTY

Lancaster starts the New Year when its signature red rose rises in Binns Park. As a symbol of the War of the Roses between Lancaster and York, the celebration of the red rose begins early and lasts into the evening. With more than 20 indoor performances, Countdown Lancaster is a family-oriented event featuring visual and performing entertainment that ends with midnight fireworks.

BOLOGNA – LEBANON, LEBANON COUNTY

It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve in central Pennsylvania without a famous Pennsylvania Dutch treat that descends from the sky. Join the excitement in Lebanon as the crowd counts down the seconds and the famous 16 foot Lebanon Bologna comes to a halt at midnight.

MARSHMALLOW PEEP – BETHLEHEM, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Participants enjoy watching the signature Marshmallow Peep® approach the crowd, ringing in the New Year as only Bethlehem can.

SLED – DUNCANNON – PERRY COUNTY

Duncannon Borough brings in the New Year with its annual midnight sled drop during fireworks. The 10-foot sled used is a model of the famous Lightning Guider sled, which was manufactured in the Standard Sled Factory in Duncannon from 1904 to 1990.

YUENGLING BEER BOTTLE – POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

New Year’s Eve in Pottsville is marked by the raising of the Yuengling beer bottle on the flagpole in Garfield Square. Start the New Year with a toast to America’s oldest brewery.

BEAVER – BEAVERTOWN, SNYDER COUNTY

Attendees watch Bucky the Beaver descend from the sky in Beavertown in the Susquehanna River Valley this year. This life-size beaver got its name from a community competition that was held before the second year of the event. It is held in the air by a 75-foot ladder and slowly lowered to the ground to land at midnight.

BOILER – MCCLURE, SNYDER COUNTY

In honor of the historic McClure Bean Soup Festival and Fair Celebration, participants watch the cast iron kettle sink at midnight.

PICKLE – DILLSBURG, YORK COUNTY

While Dillsburg has nothing to do with pickles, the city sure knows how to have fun with its name. Indulge in a real “pickle” while Dillsburg celebrates its annual pickle drop on New Year’s Eve at midnight.

WHITE ROSE – YORK, YORK COUNTY

There are smelling roses here until midnight, while a white rose descends from the sky in Continental Square, a symbol of the Rose War between Lancaster and York.

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