Mobile, AL has celebrated New Year's Eve with the dropping of a giant MoonPie since 2008. Lot's of communities imitate the Times Square ball with their own object of regional import. Chincoteague, VA has a giant horseshoe, Flagstaff, AZ has a big pinecone, and Prairie du Chien, WI drops a normal sized, real dead carp. No, really.
MoonPies are more popular in Mobile than any other city, with more than four million consumed here, annually. They also play a large role as "throws" in our Mardi Gras celebration. Given all that, having a giant, 12-foot-tall MoonPie descend the pole for the New Year's countdown was a natural choice.
And its not even the only giant MoonPie involved in our New Year's celebrations.
The MoonPie that descends the pole at midnight just a big sign. The REAL giant MoonPie is a 154 pound behemoth, created every year by the
Chattanooga Bakery. In fact, the cutting and serving of the giant MoonPie kicks off the evening's celebrations!
Other attractions at MoonPie Over Mobile include a beer garden and food trucks in Bienville Square, and plenty of live music. A second-line parade led by the
Excelsior Band follows the cutting of the giant MoonPie and this year's headliners are
Sister Sledge!
