The Live Possum Drop has to be one of the weirdest New Year's Eve traditions we've seen, and is one of several unusual items dropped at midnight.

The Possum Drop was the brainchild of Clay Logan, owner of Logan's General Store. He decided the possum should be the town's mascot and so why not drop one at midnight? The possum is placed inside a glass cage, hoisted into the air over a stage, and then lowered back down again at midnight. The Huffington Post reports onlookers drink non-alcoholic beverages and fire muskets in celebration. PETA isn't thrilled about the tradition, calling it 'cruel.' But the townspeople of Brasstown, North Carolina think it's all in good fun.

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it's a giant Peep that's dropped at midnight. It's all part of 'Peepsfest,' a family-friendly 2-day event to ring in the new year. At midnight, New Year's Eve, a giant lighted 'Peeps' figure is dropped at the iconic SteelStacks. Bethelem is home to the sugared marshmallow treats, and so the fact that they drop a giant Peep makes sense. It's too bad, though, that it's not a real Peeps candy. Eating it after the drop would be a delicious way to start 2018.

Eastport, Maine has two 'drops' for New Year's Eve, since the community sits on the Canadian border. At 11 p.m. Eastern Time/12 a.m. Atlantic Time, a giant Maple Leaf is dropped from the Tides Institute and Museum of Art, while a band plays 'O Canada.' Then, an hour later, a giant Sardine is dropped from the same location as the band plays 'Auld Lang Syne.' Onlookers are encouraged to kiss the sardine for luck in the coming year.

And, of course, in Bangor, it's the infamous Beach Ball drop from high above what is now Paddy Murphy's. For more than a decade, people from around Maine have gathered in Westmarket Square to watch a lighted beach ball fall to Earth. Actually, it's thrown, rather than being 'dropped.' The Downtown Countdown is a local favorite and a part of a day-long celebration of food and music to usher out the old year and ring in the New Year.

More From WQCB Brewer Maine