For the 17th straight year, Southern Crane personnel and equipment were responsible for lifting and lowering Raleigh’s famous 1,250-lb. (567 kg) copper acorn, a highlight of the city’s New Year’s Eve festivities.

Ever since the acorn “drop” became a Raleigh tradition, Southern Crane has provided its equipment free of charge for the event. Earl Johnson III, president of Southern Crane and a Raleigh native, said everyone at the company enjoys the fun.

“The crowds really get into watching that acorn come down,” Johnson said. “Raleigh’s acorn is famous. Friends all over the country ask me about it, so we at Southern Crane are delighted to be involved in such a fun signature event for our city.”

Organized and presented by Artsplosure, First Night fosters public appreciation of visual and performing arts through a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. More than 100 cities worldwide host First Night celebrations.

The giant acorn was created by David Benson in 1991 when Raleigh, known as “The City of Oaks,” commissioned the sculpture to celebrate its bicentennial. The acorn was “dropped” that New Year’s Eve and a Raleigh tradition was born.

For more information, visit www.southernindustrial.com.

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