MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. (WNCN) — The end of 2024 is near, and many towns and cities across the country are already preparing their New Year's Eve traditions. One of the most highly-anticipated ones in this area is Mount Olive's Pickle Drop. The family-friendly event, which has been put on by the Mt. Olive Pickle Company since 1999, has been nominated yet again by USA Today's 10best.com Readers Choice Awards as one of the best New Year's Eve drops in the U.S. The Pickle Drop is one of the earlier celebrations among the nominees, starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 with the drop happening when the clock strikes 7 p.m. The entire event, which takes place on the University of Mount Olive's campus and includes music, food trucks and fireworks, is over by 7:30 p.m. The public can vote online once daily until noon on Monday, Dec. 9. Mount Olive's event is up against some well-known events such as the Idaho Potato Drop and and the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City as well as more novelty ones such as the PEEPS Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Penn. and the Possum Drop in Tallapoosa, Ga.