The National Watermelon Drop has been called one of the quirkiest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country.
“It got started a number of years ago,” explained Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information.
“There were several people enjoying a New Year’s Eve party at their home in Vincennes. They had on the New York broadcast of the ball drop there. Someone said, why don’t we drop something?”
Chattin said Knox County is known for being one of the great producers of watermelons throughout the country.
“We have a 500-pound watermelon that is available for photographs,” he added. “A lot of people will come down before going to parties all over the community and get their picture with the giant watermelon.”
At midnight, the huge melon is lifted with a crane, 75 feet into the air.
“We will have the number of watermelons corresponding to the New Year, in this case, 19 watermelons will fall at midnight on the splat-form, making quite a mess,” Chattin explained. “And then we will have a giant fireworks display right after that.”
The festivities begin around 9 p.m. at Patrick Henry Square, near the riverfront at First and Main.
“We’ll have a heated tent with a DJ, some libations, chili and hot drinks,” Chattin said.
The Watermelon Drop has attracted attention from national publications and television shows.
“CNN, CBS, Reader’s Digest and The Guardian, a British publication, all listing us as one of the craziest places to ring in the New Year,” Chattin said.
“It’s put a lot of focus on the community and our great crop of watermelons that are known as some of the best watermelons throughout the country.”
For more information about the National Watermelon Drop, click here.
