Final Preparations Under Way for Perry’s New Year’s Eve Buzzard Drop

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Christmas is in the books, and New Year’s Eve is right around the corner!

That means celebrations all over the world and right here in the Peach State, like Perry’s first annual “Buzzard Drop.”

For years, the people of Perry had to go somehwere else to experience something like this, but now they get the benefits of a big-time celebration without ever leaving town.

 At midnight in the city square, a mechanical buzzard will drop down from a 30-foot tall replica water tower to ring in the new year.  The buzzard and tower combination, which took a few months to consruct, were put together using scrap metal.

So why a buzzard?

Lee Gilmour, city manager, says you just see a lot of them in the area.  Usually, you can see several perched on the city water tower.

The free celebration will feature a live band, plus alcohol and food vendors.  Gilmour says a shuttle will be available to take people home that might have had too much to drink.

Rusty Brown, owner of nearby Rusty’s Grill and Bar, says he’ll be open that night “until the people stop coming.”

The New Perry Hotel, located a block away from where the buzzard will drop, will also be open and still has rooms available.  Owner Patty Johnson says the hotel will also serve alcoholic beverages, and breakfast will be available for purchase that night starting at 11:30.