Ushering in the New Year

Many cities in the United States have different customs for ringing in the new year. Dropping something from a great height to the sound of a countdown is one of the most popular traditions. In Bethlehem, we have the annual dropping of the Peep.

Peeps are a marshmallow confection made by Just Born, a family owned company located in Bethlehem. Although they make many different shapes and colors of this candy, the most popular is the yellow chick. It was a giant model of that particular Peep which was dropped from a crane at Steel Stacks on December 31, as part of Peeps Fest.

Pictured: blast furnaces lit up in holiday colors

Pictured: Peep in front of Levitt Pavilion, and Peep suspended from crane

Pictured: descending Peep

Pictured: fireworks display
Because Peeps Fest is a family-centric celebration, the dropping of the peep took place at 5:15pm, followed by a short fireworks display. It was a great reminder that people of all ages can have fun on New Year's Eve, even if they can't stay up to watch the dropping of the ball in Times Square.