Downtown Chambersburg Inc. (DCI) is preparing for its second annual New Year’s Eve Martin’s Famous Potato Roll Drop. The event will feature DJs at local coffee shops Brussel’s Café and Avocado Café, a candy drop, giveaways from local vendors, a $1,000 giveaway, and more. The party will begin at 5 p.m. and will culminate in grand sponsor Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, home of Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls, dropping a pack of the popular rolls at 9 p.m. to inaugurate 2024.
The first annual New Year’s Potato Roll Drop, held in 2022, garnered a 2023 Townie Award for Special Events. “We couldn’t have accomplished this without DCI’s teamwork, as well as Martin’s and all of our generous sponsors,” says Sam Thrush, president of DCI.
Thrush is looking forward to hosting the New Year’s Eve celebration again. “For years our town didn’t do anything special for New Year’s Eve,” he says. “Now we have droves of people coming out to celebrate, and we get to do it in a way that’s uniquely ours. It’s exciting to see the support we’ve gotten for it.”
He’s not the only person excited about the event. Julie Martin, social media manager of Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe and granddaughter of its founders, Lloyd and Lois Martin, says, “We greatly enjoyed celebrating with our loved ones at the first Potato Roll Drop. It is a privilege to share this moment with our employees, our families, and our community and experience the joy together.”
While most New Year’s Eve celebrations end shortly after the clock strikes midnight, Chambersburg’s fête concludes at 9 p.m. “Some might think 9 p.m. is too early to end a New Year's Eve party,” Thrush quips. “But it’s really good for everybody. The 9 p.m. ring-in allows kids and adults alike to get to bed at a decent hour, and that helps everyone enjoy time with their families on New Year’s Day.” He smiles. “It’s just another way Chambersburg is set apart.”
Various in-kind sponsors help to make the Potato Roll Drop possible, including VerStandig Media, Berkshire Hathaway, Digging & Rigging, Shafer Equipment Company, L&L Creations, and more. Individuals and organizations interested in helping to organize or sponsor the event may email dci@chambersburg.org.
About DCI
DCI. is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the vibrancy of Chambersburg's downtown district. Through innovative events, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, DCI fosters a sense of pride and unity while driving economic growth in the heart of Chambersburg.