North Carolina New Year

Explanation
The correct answer is Gaston. This can be inferred from the context of the question, which mentions that men in the Cherryville area have been gathering for New Year's Eve celebrations. Since Cherryville is located in Gaston County, it can be concluded that the correct county is Gaston.

Explanation
Charlotte celebrates New Year's Eve by raising a lighted symbol at midnight, and the correct answer is "Crown". This suggests that the city of Charlotte uses a crown as a symbol to mark the beginning of the new year. The crown is likely representative of the city's status as the Queen City and symbolizes the celebration and festivities of the event.

Explanation
In Brasstown, Clay County, it is a tradition to lower an opossum to the ground as midnight strikes on New Year's Eve. This unusual and controversial event has gained attention due to its uniqueness.

Explanation
The town of Oriental celebrates New Year's Eve by banging pots and making noise to drive away a mythical creature, the dragon. This tradition is likely rooted in ancient folklore or beliefs that dragons are associated with bad luck or evil spirits. By making loud noises, the locals believe they can scare away the dragon and ensure a prosperous and safe new year.

Explanation
The annual New Year's celebration at Historic Rural Hill Farm near Huntersville includes recreating the ancient practice of first-footing. This tradition was brought to North Carolina by settlers from Scotland. First-footing is a Scottish custom where the first person to enter a home after midnight on New Year's Day brings good luck for the coming year. This explanation is supported by the historical connection between Scotland and the early settlers in North Carolina who brought their customs and traditions with them.

Explanation
Raleigh's New Year's celebration includes processions, fireworks, music, and the dropping of an acorn. This is because the acorn nods to the city's nickname, "The City of Oaks." Raleigh is known for its abundance of oak trees, and the acorn serves as a symbol of the city's natural beauty and identity.

Explanation
The correct answer is Eastover. Eastover is a town in Cumberland County, North Carolina. The question mentions that one of North Carolina's newest New Year's traditions takes place in Cumberland County, where the locals drop a 30-pound wooden flea. Therefore, Eastover must be the town where this unique New Year's tradition occurs.

Explanation
The correct answer is Kure Beach. The question asks for the town south of Carolina Beach where the Island of Lights New Year's Eve celebration takes place. Kure Beach is the correct answer because it is located south of Carolina Beach and is known for hosting the annual event where a lighted beach ball is dropped at midnight. Calabash and Southport are not mentioned in relation to the New Year's Eve celebration in the question.

Explanation
Dogwood is the correct answer because it is North Carolina's official state flower and Fayetteville welcomes the New Year by dropping it. The question is asking for the well-known bloom that is dropped during the New Year celebration in Fayetteville, and the dogwood fits this description.

Explanation
Residents of the Crystal Coast gather in Morehead City to drop a box-like implement called a crab pot. A crab pot is a device used to catch crabs. It is typically made of wire mesh and has a hinged top that allows crabs to enter but prevents them from escaping. The pot is baited with fish or other seafood to attract the crabs. Once the crabs enter the pot, they are trapped inside until the pot is retrieved by the fishermen.