This Northern Michigan City is Dropping a Giant Toque for New Year’s Eve – Because of Course It Is

Call it a toque (if you're in Canada) or a chook (if you're in Michigan's Upper Peninsula) - or just a winter hat if you're from anywhere south of the 45th parallel. Whatever you call it, the city of Houghton will be dropping a giant one for New Year's Eve in an inaugural event.

The giant hat drop is planned for the city's pier and waterfront along Portage River - the waterway that makes the northern half of the Keweenaw Peninsula an island.

Visit Keenweaw describes the event:

The Houghton NYE Chook Drop invites all to be a part of the new year spectacle. Enjoy a classic drop at midnight on Houghton’s waterfront pier, signifying the start of 2024 and celebrating the end of 2023. Stay cozy around the fire as you ring in this new year. Chooks are the name of the soft and hardy hats people wear to stay warm during winter. Sometimes called beanies, the hats are a popular staple in the Keweenaw much like plaid. The brand Yooper Chook popularized the style in 2009 and remains a leading brand in the Upper Peninsula.

While the Hat Drop will be a new event for Houghton there are several unique items dropped across Michigan.

For a traditional ball drop, while there are many both Allegan and Ludington bill themselves as Michigan's largest.

For ball-like drops, South Haven drops a beach ball while Traverse City drops a cherry, er, red ball.

For the non-ball drops, consider the Anchor Drop in Sault Ste Marie, Turtle Drop on Mackinac Island, Mitten Drop in suburban Detroit's Lake Orion and an Egg Drop in Zeeland.