Helen to mark New Year’s Eve with Dropping of Edelweiss

The 9th Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss will take place in Alpine Helen on Friday, Dec. 31.

This event is hosted by the Helen Chamber of Commerce at the Helen Festhalle and offers a family-friendly New Year’s celebration for guests of all ages.

Guest will be given New Year’s party favors upon arrival to get into the festive spirit. They will have their pick of hats, tiaras, and noisemakers. The admission price also covers heavy hors d’oeuvres that will be served throughout the evening. Prost, the Euro-American party band, will be performing live throughout the evening. When the band is on break, dance music will be played for guests to enjoy. A complementary champagne toast will be provided after the drop, but the bar will be serving beer and wine for purchase.

Around 11:45 p.m., guests will begin to make their way outside in preparation for the Edelweiss drop. Part of Edelweiss Strasse outside the Festhalle will be closed by the Helen Police Department for the dropping. Afterwards, everyone will go back inside for the champagne toast, and then the event will begin to wind down, with closing at 1 a.m.

In addition to the Dropping of the Edelweiss, there will be similar celebrations across the state this New Year’s Eve. According to ExploreGeorgia.org, there is the Buzzard Drop in Perry, the Possum Drop in Tallapoosa, the Geranium Drop in McDonough, the Gold Nugget Drop in Villa Rica, the Shamrock Drop in Dublin, and the Balloon Drop and Fireworks at the Battery in Atlanta. There is also a Gold Nugget drop more locally in Dahlonega.

The Festhalle doors will open at 8 p.m. Admission to the celebration is $25 per person, with kids ages 6 to 12 are $12. Kids under 6 are free. Guests will pay at the door for this event.

The Festhalle is at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. For more information: helenchamber.com or 706-878-1908.