Possum Drop will be held, minus live opossum

BRASSTOWN, NC (AP) — The organizer of the New Year’s Eve Possum Drop in western North Carolina says the event will be held this year, minus a live opossum.

Clay Logan said Monday he’ll instead lower a road-kill possum, a pot of possum stew or something similar at midnight Wednesday. The event held annually for two decades in Brasstown typically involves enclosing a live opossum in a clear plastic box and lowering it to the ground before the animal is released.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has repeatedly challenged the event, arguing the lights, noise and crowd of people can wreck a possum’s nerves and health.

A judge ruled Logan could use a live possum if he got a state permit, but Logan said he didn’t have time to do that.

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