Ringing in the New Year: Duck Drop 2013
Havre de Grace began its unique count down to the New Year in 1999—started with a lot of heart and mostly community work. About 2007, (as most locals know) the Susquehanna Hose Company came to help out the big duck. And ever since then, it became history. As HarfordNeighbors.net are quoted, it's become a "Big Night in a Small Town."
The first time I attended the big Duck Drop, I was surprised just how many people showed up! Tons! A big event and I couldn't believe that there were no vendors or music to accompany the waiting big duck. Christopher Barsam came to visit Havre de Grace in 2011 and wrote an entry on Examiner.com titled: "Havre de Grace, Maryland superior to Times Square New York?" He is surprised that about 500 people gathered to see the big drop, but he also gave a major shout out for the future of the Duck Drop: Publicity, music and concessions ware needed.
As an outsider, Barsam read my mind exactly. But I wanted to add to Barsam's thoughts. We have 500 people from all over the place going to a field, not exactly anywhere particular in Havre de Grace. Why not move the Duck Drop to the center of it all: Main Street. The tight knit shops, bars. "Where its at," or where it will hopefully be at this year.
Take Red Lion, PA for example, which hosts its annual Cigar Shop downtown. Shops stay open later, there is live bands, DJs, drinks and concessions. And its been successful to continue throughout the years. It's time to pump it up! As Barsam says, the Duck Drop is something that must be done once, by everyone. Start advertising for this great idea sooner.
All bars, restaurants and participating venues downtown will benefit astronomically from the new Duck Drop. Businesses who usually stay closed, or make no profit at all on New Years Eve, will have a new opportunity to have a busy day now. Families from all over will more than likely say "What a nice shop that was!" Or "What an awesome bar. You know, we should really come back to Havre de Grace this weekend/next summer/when the weather is nice, to check out the other places!" And there, starts a new cycle for tourism to grasp. Newcomers that have a new reason to visit Havre de Grace. The charm, new restaurants, food and taste of Maryland that they will be teased with and wanting more on New Years Eve.
Rub-A-Dub Duck Drop, Ringing in the New Year all on Main Street in Havre de Grace. Taking a spin on the old and giving it a new look. Just like First Fridays, but better. What do you say, are you in?
Dominique Beverly
4:40 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
I'd never even heard of the Duck Drop before, sounds like it might be a bit of fun.
Barbara Wagner
6:55 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Katie, Sounds like a great idea! Count me in!
Ruffin
7:32 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Katie, you are so awesome...what a great idea. I have never been to the Duck Drop but with perhaps some music, vendors, allowing enough room for downtown to be included makes a lot of sense. A new idea for an old town. Again, your perspective on things around HdeG is appreciated. Not all are going to agree, but you present interesting ideas. Keep it up :)
Tom Barnes
7:30 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Excellent idea. Why not put it on top of the Masons building (if they allow, of course) since it sits at the main junction of all the downtown activity, and close off St John and Washington for the evening? I think it would be great. Count me in, too!
Gracie K
9:06 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Love the idea. I went last year for the first time with a group of friends. It was a bit strange that the duck was all there was. Add some music, vendors and open shops/bars will make it even better!
Kate_archived
11:06 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Yeah, Mrs Wagner. I'm not sure what to do with this idea from here. I guess I'd like to TRY and put together some kind of "short and sweet" quickie presentation for a city council meeting. But I'm not quite sure what to put together or how to present it, haha~
Scott Hurst
2:11 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
A DJ has already been booked for 2013 and concessions will be served this year too. However, it will probaly have to stay at the Middle School for now due to the fireworks display.
Tom Barnes
6:28 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Ahhhhhh.... yeah. The Fireworks. Forgot about those. Probably no way of moving them out into the water behind the Legion (cost effectiveness) and asking them for use of the parking lot for seating. Meh.... at least it was a thought. As long as it grows, it's a good thing.
John Cole
8:07 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Why not approach the quarry to provide a barge?
Tom Barnes
8:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Excellent idea, John. Not sure if it's too late to do anything for the upcoming year (they start this planning way in advance) but I think some promising changes for 2014 could be possible.
Kate_archived
7:56 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
The amount of people they could draw from this event, I thought, would be able to cover that. I also thought there could be a few other spots like the blockhouse. So they're going to tell me that lighting an island on fire a hundred and one times in July is okay and cost and safety effective? Haha
Kate_archived
8:18 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Sue. A barge could be a good idea, but I thought that would be more money than just shootingnit out over the water. Thanks for these suggestions!
onefedupcitizen
6:58 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
If its not broke don't fix it. Really stop trying to make it more than it is. Enjoy it for what it really is a FAMILY night.
Tom Phelan
4:14 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Ms. Kinlin. For starters the Hose Company volunteers have been a part of the Duck Drop since it's inception - not since 2007 as you note. Most who comment have no idea how much work goes into pulling it off. There's no venue downtown that could accomodate such a feat with the stunning backdrop of the firework. Would the downtown plan include dropping it from a 4 story building - and 3D no less? A barge would be a great idea - except that this takes place on December 31st which is in the dead of winter! Imagine planning for a barge (which would entail funding) and we get a freezing cold snap that freezes the river. There are reasons it's worked so well in it's current location - expansive area with room for plan B as we needed to do several years ago when the wind kicked up and a dedicated group who work hard to pull off the event.
Dena Cardwell
6:24 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012
This event is run by SHCO not the city council.
Sean Welsh
1:54 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Scott Hurst and I chatted about the reasons why a downtown duck drop can't be done: http://havredegrace.patch.com/articles/hurst-drop-notion-of-downtown-duck
Sean