RALEIGH From pickles to possums to polar plunges, it’s not New Year’s without a party. Wherever you are in N.C., there is one nearby. If a New Year’s day connection with nature is more your style, N.C.’s state parks hold “First Day Hikes” on January 1 to get your year off on the right foot. For more information go to www.visitnc.com.MountainsBryson City – New Year’s Eve Street Party, 6-10 p.m., downtownBlowing Rock – New Year’s Eve Celebration at Appalachian Ski Mountain, 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Beech Mountain – New Year’s Eve at Beech Mountain Resort, 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m.Fontana Dam – New Year’s Eve Celebration at Fontana Village Resort, 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.Marion – New Year’s Eve Celebration in Marion, 9 p.m.-midnight, Main StreetAsheville – New Year’s Resolution Run 5K, New Year’s Day at 10 a.m., Pack Square ParkPiedmontCharlotte – New Year’s Eve, 8 p.m.-midnight, Romare Bearden ParkCharlotte – The Avett Brothers New Year’s Eve, 8:30 p.m., Bojangles ColiseumBrasstown – Possum Drop 9:30 PM Clay’s Corner Belmont – Sparkle and Glow New Year’s Eve, 6-9 p.m., Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Raleigh – First Night Raleigh 2017, 2 p.m.-midnight, downtown Salisbury – New Year’s Eve, 8 p.m.-midnight, Bell Tower ParkPinehurst – New Year’s Eve Party, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Pinehurst ResortEastMorehead City – Crystal Coast Countdown, A New Year’s CelebrationCarolina Beach – Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., BoardwalkAtlantic Beach – New Year’s Eve Cannon Blast, 6-8 p.m., Fort Macon State ParkAtlantic Beach – Penguin Plunge, 1 p.m., Atlantic Beach BoardwalkMount Olive – Mt. Olive’s New Year Pickle Drop, 6-7 p.m., Corner of Cucumber and VineSurf City – Dolphin Dip Extravaganza, New Year’s Day at 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Roland Avenue Beach AccessLake Lure – Lake Lure Polar Plunge, New Year’s Day at Noon, Lake Lure Inn Pool
