Buzzard Drop nominated for Best New Year’s Eve Drop by USA Today

PERRY – A signature event for the City of Perry is once again receiving national recognition.

The Buzzard Drop has been nominated for Best New Year’s Eve Drop by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the third year the event has been nominated. According to the city’s website, USA Today’s panel of editors and experts selects unique and beloved celebrations across the country. The public is then invited to vote for their favorites. 

Communications Director Tabitha Clark said the city is surprised, but it is an honor to be recognized nationally. 

“A lot of people don’t know why a buzzard, so for USA Today to see us and pick us within the nation of the top ten is really a neat experience. We just love that our uniqueness is getting us nationwide attention,” she said. 

The story of how the buzzard drop became the city’s New Year’s Eve tradition is also unique. The city’s podcast, Inside Perry, also released an episode that goes in-depth about the Buzzard Drop’s story.  

As Clark explained, the city serves as a resting point for buzzards during their migration. The birds would stop to rest on the water tower, but also cause a lot of mess. 

Over the years, this would erode infrastructure and cause numerous problems for the city. Clark said it was expensive to maintain the water towers in good condition. 

Several years ago, the city realized the only thing that worked was one of their own. A plastic buzzard with real wings sits on the tower to keep the birds away. 

The city must obtain a permit every year from the Department of Natural Resources to use the buzzard’s wings. Since then, there have been no buzzards stopping on the water towers, keeping them efficiently running, according to Clark.

Former Mayor James Faircloth helped start the Buzzard Drop, and since then, it has taken flight. The event’s mascot, Bob the Buzzard, makes a stop every year to count down the new year. 

“It’s just a fun community event for New Year’s Eve,” Clark said. 

The event has improved by adding fireworks last year. The event also features a kiddie countdown for children and adults with a bedtime. 

Clark believes the event’s uniqueness earned the third nomination. The Buzzard Drop also won a Savvy Award back in September and thousands flock to downtown Perry for the celebration.

“I just think the Buzzard Drop has that community spirit about it, twisted with some uniqueness of the buzzard. I think it’s one of those community staples that people can’t ignore and they take notice of it,” Clark said. 

Everyone is encouraged to vote and can vote once per day until Dec.1 at midnight. Clark explained that it’s like a popularity contest, and the event with the most votes wins. 

“We’re just super excited that people want to vote for us and that we’re getting nationally recognized,” she said. 

To vote, click here. 

This year’s Buzzard Drop will be on Dec. 31 in Historic Downtown Perry, starting at 7 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food trucks, and downtown restaurants will be open, along with fireworks to ring in the new year.