MACHIAS, Maine — A 6-foot lobster built by Washington Academy students proved to be a popular symbol of the new year Down East.
Crowds gathered in the parking lot of Pat’s Pizza in Machias to watch the giant crustacean descend as part of the Downeast Lobstah Drop, the first New Year’s Eve celebration in Machias. After the lobster came down, people posed for photos with it.
Bill Burke, owner of Pat’s Pizza, organized the event, which he hopes will become an annual tradition. In addition to the drop, New Year’s Eve activities included a hat parade, a bonfire, magic shows and performances by Audio Body, a techno-comedy group.
All activities were free to the public and were paid for by donations from area businesses.
“We’ve had a wonderful time,” said Sherry Miller of Fort Mill, South Carolina, who attended the Audio Body show with her grandchildren, Isla Craven, 5, and Isaac Craven, 7, of Machias.
“It’s about time somebody started doing something around this place,” said Tim Moore of Machias, who had just watched the lobster drop.