Clayton News Daily

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

Cities across America brought in 2009 with a variety of time-honored traditions.

Residents in New York City saw a giant ball descend from the sky in Times Square. Atlanta celebrated the arrival of Jan. 1 with the Peach Drop.

In Henry County, a budding tradition continued for the fifth straight year, with the Nugget Drop at Truett's Grill in McDonough.

More than 3,000 people gathered to see a six-foot chicken nugget made of plaster, fall approximately 50 feet into what appeared to be a giant packet of honey mustard sauce. A concert and free nuggets were among the other features at the event.

Billy Thompson is the general manager of the restaurant, located at 1785 Jonesboro Rd. According to Thompson, the Nugget Drop started as a means of bringing in more customers, but has grown into much more.

"In 2003, we were pushing for an award called "A Symbol of Success," which is given to Chick-fil-A general managers who achieve a certain sales increase for that year," said Thompson. "We had so many people show up that first year, we decided to keep it going, and we've been doing it ever since."

The general manager said many local residents have made the Nugget Drop a regular part of their New Year's Eve celebrations.

"I've met people who have been to every Nugget Drop," he said. "I've even met someone who met their fiancé [there]."

Sponsors for the event included Dick's Sporting Goods, the Maid Brigade and The Doctor's Office.