The Peach Drop is a
New Year's Eve
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day in many countries, is the evening or the entire day of the last day of the year, on 31 December. The last day of the year is commonly referred to ...
event held in
Atlanta,
Georgia. Traditionally held in
Underground Atlanta, the event features the lowering of a large
peach sculpture down a tower, symbolizing Georgia's identity as the "Peach State".
The event was held in Underground Atlanta from 1989 to 2017, and then moved to
Woodruff Park
Woodruff Park, named for Robert W. Woodruff, is located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The park's are north of Edgewood Ave, between Peachtree Street NE and Park Place NE. The park includes a fountain, a performance pavilion, an ...
for 2018 before returning to Underground Atlanta for 2019. The event was cancelled for 2020 due to the sale of Underground Atlanta and other logistical issues, as well as 2021 and 2022 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The event successfully returned for 2023.
History
From 1989 through 2017, the event was held at Underground Atlanta. The tower from which the peach descends is located in Underground Atlanta and stands at . The peach, constructed of fiberglass and foam, is tall and weighs approximately .
The Drop was moved to the
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building, originally the Fuller Building, is a triangular 22-story, steel-framed landmarked building at 175 Fifth Avenue in the eponymous Flatiron District neighborhood of the Boroughs of New York City, borough of Manhattan in New ...
for the 2018 celebration with festivities held at
Woodruff Park
Woodruff Park, named for Robert W. Woodruff, is located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The park's are north of Edgewood Ave, between Peachtree Street NE and Park Place NE. The park includes a fountain, a performance pavilion, an ...
after Underground Atlanta was sold to a private developer. For 2019, the event returned to Underground Atlanta.
Hiatus
The 2020 Peach Drop was cancelled for in order to re-evaluate and expand the event. Mayor
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Keisha Lance Bottoms (born January 18, 1970) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 2018 to 2022. She was elected mayor in 2017. Before becoming mayor, she was a member of the Atlanta City C ...
stated that the sale of Underground Atlanta complicated the event, and previous year's return for 2019 lacked "the thought and consideration and resources we should give an event." The 2021 and 2022 Peach Drop events were cancelled for the second and third consecutive years due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Peach Drop is scheduled to return to Underground Atlanta for 2023.
See also
*
List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve, many localities in the United States and elsewhere mark the beginning of a new year through the raising or lowering of an object. Many of these events are patterned off festivities that have been held at New York City's Times Sq ...
References
External links
New Year in the United States
Culture of Atlanta
Tourist attractions in Atlanta
Peaches
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