Is There Anything More Parma Than A Pierogi Drop On New Year’s Eve?

Parma is well-known for its big Eastern European community and its abundance of quality pierogi shops and restaurants. Soon, the Cleveland suburb will take the delicacy to the next level on New Year’s Eve, with its Pierogi Drop event.

The free party, hosted at local restaurant and bar Sloppy Bob’s, is a spin on the famous Times Square ball drop in New York City, where revelers count down the seconds until the year ends. Parma’s pierogi drop marks the beginning of the city’s bicentennial year celebrations, which will all honor the anniversary of its 1826 township designation. 

“Sloppy Bob’s is the brainchild of this event, and we are working closely with the owner and (nonprofit organization) We Are Parma Proud to make sure it will be a safe and fun event for our residents,” says Parma mayor Tim DeGeeter in a statement. “Our city is known for its delicious pierogi creations, and we are excited to start our bicentennial year of celebrations with a big pierogi leading the way.”

The party kicks off at 8 p.m., when State Road from Dawnshire Drive to Wellington Boulevard will close down — with much of the action centered around Sloppy Bob’s. At midnight, attendees will be able to see a large pierogi drop from the restaurant’s parking lot and the street, with a fireworks show to follow, according to a City of Parma representative.

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​“We spend a lot of time relaxing in Key West, and the inspiration came while joking with friends there about the famous New Year's conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe's Bar,” says Sloppy Bob’s owner Kelly Lasecki in a statement. “Since our bar, Sloppy Bob’s, is a nod to that Key West landmark, we thought: ‘For Parma's Ukrainian Village, what's better than a giant pierogi?’”

The pierogi and its dropping device were fashioned by Sloppy Bob’s employee Justin Sollinger.

The pierogi drop isn’t the only quirky New Year’s Eve tradition in the region. Chagrin Falls hosts an annual Popcorn Ball Drop, and Port Clinton has become well-known for its annual Walleye Drop.

Of course, the Parma party attendees can also sample some pierogies, supplied by State Meats — along with a toast of Schnitz Ale Brewery. Breads and Beyond Bakery will bring another local icon, the pink flamingo, in sugar cookie form. Local bars including Good Olde Daze and Red Circle Bar & Lanes will be open for the festivities, plus a handful of food trucks serving barbecue, sweets, ice cream and tacos.

Both Sloppy Bob’s and We Are Parma Proud say they hope for the event to become a tradition.

“We are so excited to bring the spirit of Times Square here to State Road,” says We Are Parma Proud member Chris Leo in a statement. “We're looking forward to making New Year's Eve in Parma one of our great city's highlights for years to come.”