Hershey’s secret to a sweet new year: You won’t believe what’s taking centre stage!

In the sweet little town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, preparations for New Year’s Eve are well underway – and they’re going big. Or should we say, big and shiny? Workers have been spotted hoisting a whopping 300-pound aluminium and fibreglass Hershey’s Kiss into position on the corner of Park and Chocolate Avenues. Following previous tradition, this confectionary colossus will take centre stage during the grand countdown as it’s raised skyward at the stroke of midnight, marking the highlight of Hershey’s beloved New Year’s bash at ChocolateTown Square.

Image Source: https://www.hersheynewyearseve.org/media

“We are proud to welcome guests back to Hershey for our New Year’s Eve celebration as it commemorates a milestone of 20 years since the event began in 2004,” said Mike Pries, Committee Chair for Hershey New Year’s Eve. He added, “We have watched this event grow and expand each year, and can’t wait for our community to enjoy all of the family-friendly activities, live music, and laser and pyrotechnics displays we have planned for this year’s event.”

This year’s festivities, celebrating two decades of chocolaty cheer, promise a cracking good time for the whole family. The fun kicks off bright and early at 11:00 AM at The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue. Little ones can unleash their inner percussionist with bubble wrap stomps and meet the Hershey product characters at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 8:30 PM. These joyous shenanigans will take place on the outdoor patio – unless Mother Nature has other plans, in which case the stomping relocates to the Grand Lobby. Best of all? It’s absolutely free.

For those with an appetite for adventure (and perhaps a chocolate-covered pretzel or two), food vendors will line the square from 8:00 PM to midnight. Meanwhile, a family hour from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM will showcase local dance and music talent before culminating in the final bubble wrap stomp of the night, led by the ever-jolly Hershey’s Characters.

As the evening heats up, live entertainment takes centre stage, kicking off at 9:00 PM with ‘Fully Stocked’, followed by headliners ‘Burn the Jukebox’. By 11:59 PM, all eyes will be on the star attraction: the Hershey’s Kiss. With MC Denny Logan (of WNNK 104.1 fame) and the Hershey’s Characters leading the countdown, the Kiss will ascend triumphantly, accompanied by a dazzling display of lasers and fireworks to ring in the New Year with style.