PERRY, Ga. — The City of Perry is getting ready to ring in the new year and to celebrate their 200th birthday.
There's the Peach Fest in Atlanta, the Possum Drop in Tallapoosa, and in Perry, they have the Buzzard Drop!
This is their 11th year hosting the Perry Buzzard Drop, and it was created as a unique and fun way to ring in the new year.
Turns out, it's serious business. It brings in over 2,000 visitors and gives a boost to stores and restaurants downtown.
But why buzzards?
According to Tabitha Clark, the City of Perry's Senior Communications Manager, buzzards migrate through Perry during the winter. The water tower used to be their resting spot and the city noticed the mess and damage left behind.
They knew they needed to do something.
"Our community has something special," Clark said "It's very exciting, it's very unique. They recommended that we actually use a dead buzzard to hang on the water tower and that will distract the buzzards and make them go elsewhere."
After getting a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, the Buzzard Drop tradition began.
Now, the City of Perry rings in the new year with a plastic buzzard made with real feathers to keep them away.
However, it keeps the visitors coming.
"Of course, our Historic Downtown is growing rapidly over the last couple of years, so they're very good at getting involved and having people come down," Clark said. "It's on a Sunday even if the shops aren't open, they can browse in the windows and say this is a place I want to come back and look and shop."
Scott Sanders is the general manager at 'Orleans on Carroll Street and says his restaurant has a front-row seat to the Buzzard Drop celebration.
"You know, it's a little daunting to have thousands of people out front," Sanders said. "It's exciting though and most people stop in to get a drink at least and then when they see the place they want to find out what we offer and what kind of food we have."
Sanders said for only being open for a year, he's grown from last year's experience and has even prepared a special dinner menu for those celebrating.
He says his restaurant and the whole community benefit from the Buzzard Drop.
"Being in Perry, witnessing all the growth Perry's going through and being part of that is super special for us," Sanders said.
The Perry Buzzard drop is on Sunday from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Restaurants in downtown Perry will be extending their hours and food trucks will also be available. There will be live entertainment, free activities, and even a kiddie countdown for families to celebrate without missing bedtime.