For 19 years, Clay Logan of Clay’s Corner Store has organized one of the most noteworthy New Year’s Eve celebrations in the tiny town of Brasstown, North Carolina.  The New Year’s Eve possum drop, in which a live possum in a see-through decorated cage is lowered down a pole to announce the coming of the new year.  Things will be different in 2013.  The live possum has been nixed after a PETA lawsuit against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  However, the show must go on.  The New Years Eve possum drop will take place with either a stuffed possum or a roadkill version.

“There are many ways to ring in the new year that don’t involve dangling a small, timid and terrified wild animal over a boisterous crowd and exposing him to bright lights, fireworks, and other frightening noises,” wrote PETA senior media coordinator David Perle.  “As a result of PETA’s lawsuit and the judge’s ruling that it is illegal to use a live opossum for such an event, Brasstown this year will be able to throw a great party without supporting cruelty to animals.”

There’s more than just possums at the event.  There’s also a country and bluegrass band, a tribute to the military, and a ceremonial firing of muzzleloading rifles by the local rifle brigade.  All in all, it’s a good family event expected to draw 3000 people to the small town two hours west of Ashville, even if they can’t have their traditional possum plunge.

Tags: brasstown, north carolina, possum drop, new years eve possum drop, new years eve, new years celebration, possum celebration, clay logan, peta, people for the ethical treatment of animals, david perle, clay logan, clay’s corner store, unusual events, unusual holiday events, holiday events, opossum

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