What's better than the New York City Times Square ball drop to welcome in the new year? Head to small town Marion (about 35 miles east of Asheville) to watch a 6-foot gold nugget drop into a 10-foot freshly baked frosted donut that you eat! This free, fun, quirky celebration also includes a Comic Con costume contest, music, wagon rides and many local brews and wines. The celebration begins at 8:30 PM.