Wetumpka New Year Tradition Not Dampened by Rain
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The city of Wetumpka is not letting any bad weather stop them from celebrating their New Year’s Eve. Flooding from heavy rain caused a lot of problems for the city, but officials are doing what they can to make sure their meteor drops at midnight.
The celebration in the city is a little different than others. Not many cities have a story quite like this one.
“Eighty-five million years ago, a meteor struck, and that’s what formed the ridge line that circles around Wetumpka,” says New Year’s Eve Celebration Host Gardener Perdue. “It’s five miles across, it’s the largest meteor strike in the US, in the marine area, in the water.”
The tradition of using the “meteor” started around eight years ago, but the original design was much different than the one used now.
“The one that we have now kinda rolls and tumbles down the line. And we’ll have Gerbs fireworks that are all set off off of the meteor as it comes down,” adds Perdue.
Even with the remarkable flooding for the year, this is one tradition the city will not give up on.
“I don’t think it’s going to put a damper on it at all, we’re gonna, you know we’ve got some methods we’re gonna put out, to keep everyone away from the water,” Special Events Tourism Manager Tiffany Robinson says. “So if we can just keep everybody up on higher ground, we’ve got some areas roped off we don’t wan the kids to be around, so you know we’re gonna accommodate.”
The city markets the event as family friendly event for kids and adults of all ages.
“We like to offer something for the whole family to do and get out and enjoy, with the music the kids will be dancing and you know, it’s really great for everyone,” Robinson says. “And we’ll have marshmallows roasted and you know, make some s’mores, and you know, we’ll have a good time out here.”
The event does start at nine, but Alabama fans do not need to worry. The game will be shown over two large screens at the party.
