By Dixon Stone

The Vicksburg Post

 

Chick-fil-A welcomed 2016 with the 2nd annual Nugget Drop, which is a family-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration and fundraiser that benefits the local WinShape Camp.

The festivities began at 4  and lasted until 9 p.m.

“We had several games and activities throughout the evening,” said Chick-fil-A Marketing Director Alvin Foster, “We had lemon squeezing competitions, milkshake drinking contests, as well as inflatables for the children.”

But the pinnacle of the evening was when a six foot Chick-fil-A nugget was dropped into a container of Chick-fil-A ‘sauce,’ followed by a fireworks show.

“The nugget was huge, and it was actually made out of concrete. The sauce that it was dropping into was replicated as well, of course, but the effect was not lost. The fireworks really made the event end with a bang.”

Foster also applauded the City of Vicksburg for its outpouring of support for the event.

“We had a huge amount of help and assistance from the fire department to the police department, as well as the Department of Parks and Recreation. We couldn’t have done without the fire department, who actually helped us drop the nugget from a fire truck. The police and Parks and Recreation Department were great to work with when it came to coordinating the fireworks.”

The fundraiser was intended to provide a family friendly opportunity to get together to celebrate the New Year.

“We really wanted to host a family event that provided a safe and fun environment for all ages. Last year, we had the countdown and drop at midnight like a traditional New Years Event event, but this year we decided to go in a different direction. Instead, we had the drop at 9 p.m. in order to truly accommodate families and children of all ages.”

When asked where the idea of the event came from, Foster gives credit to a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta.

“This is of course the 2nd year that we’ve done it here locally, but this is actually something that a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta has done years in the past. When they retired the event for themselves, we decided to take it over, as we saw it really could be a fun event for this community that could also have some really great impacts.”

Wristbands were sold in advance and at the event for $10 for unlimited access to all of the night’s attractions and activities.

“All of the proceeds will go to support the local WinShape Camp, which was created by our founder Truett Cathy and his family. The camp has taken place here for the past two years at Crossway Church, our host site. We really hope that the proceeds from tonight make a big difference for the camp,” Foster said.