Inside Perry, Georgia
Inside Perry, Georgia
The Night A Fancy Buzzard Throws A Party
A flock of buzzards changed our city - and gave us a reason to throw one of the most memorable New Year’s Eve parties in Georgia. We trace the surprising path from a real infrastructure headache on Perry’s water towers to a smart, humane solution and a celebration now recognized by USA Today.
You’ll hear the true story behind the migratory route that brought vultures to our skyline, how permits and a clever decoy ended the damage, and why we chose to lean into the moment by creating Bob the Buzzard, our bow-tied host for the big night.
We open the doors to Historic Downtown Perry and walk through what makes the Buzzard Drop special: free activities that welcome families, live entertainment that keeps the energy high, and a festive lineup of local food and beverage options. The kitty countdown lets kids and early-to-bed guests ring in the new year without the late night, while the midnight countdown brings the classic thrill, complete with photos and dancing alongside Bob. It’s a celebration built on accessibility, community pride, and a dose of small-town charm that feels anything but small.
Along the way, we share how local government problem solving can spark cultural wins - balancing wildlife considerations, infrastructure protection, and permits with creativity and hospitality. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another year, this guide helps you make the most of the night and understand the heart behind the tradition. Join us downtown, say hello to Bob, and help us welcome the new year together. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more people discover Perry’s Buzzard Drop.
NOTE: The 2026 Kiddie Countdown begins at 9:00 p.m. instead of the usual 8:00 p.m.
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Visit us at perry-ga.gov.
We hope to see you around in our amazing community...Where Georgia Comes Together.
Welcome to the Inside Perry Georgia podcast, where you get an inside look at Perry, Georgia's local government. We're glad you chose Perry, where people make the difference. Whether you stay a few hours or a lifetime, your time in Perry will be rewarding and unforgettable. I'm Taffla Clark, Communications Director for the City of Perry. And in today's episode, we talk about the nationally recognized Perry Buzzardrop New Year's Eve celebration. So we've always got so many questions. Why is there a buzzard drop in Perry, Georgia? Well, let's explain the fascinating history about how the Perry buzzard drop came to historic downtown Perry on New Year's Eve. So Perry is in the middle of the buzzard migration route from north to south, and then of course from south to north. And while the buzzards are passing through Perry, they love to hang out on Perry's water towers and party. They hang out long enough to make a big mess, which of course causes infrastructure damage. So the administration at the time tried everything to fix this problem. It wasn't until they discovered that the only thing that keeps the buzzards off the water towers is one of their own kind. Shall we say frozen in time. So with permission and permits by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a plastic buzzard with real buzzard wings hangs from each water tower. And since then, there's been no more buzzards hanging out on Perry's water towers. So back in 2013, Perry embraced this unusual situation by creating Bob the Buzzard and the New Year's Eve celebration in historic downtown Perry, the Perry Buzzard Drop. This event is nationally recognized by USA Today, and each year is full of new surprises and activities. Our classic attractions always include Bob the Buzzard, which is our buzzard gentleman, complete with bow tie and top hat. He's always ready for a photo opportunity and dancing through until midnight as we bring in the new year. Free activities and live entertainment are always part of the free Perry Buzzard Drop. Of course, we have food and beverage selections available all throughout the night. And of course, we have the kitty countdown at 8 o'clock PM, designated for the young and young at heart who can't quite make it to midnight. You're invited to ring in the New Year in historic downtown Perry at the nationally recognized Perry Buzzardrop. Learn more in the show notes for this year's celebration. Happy New Year from all of us at the City of Perry. You can learn more about Perry's nationally recognized Buzzer Drop New Year's Eve celebration by visiting our website at Perry-GA.gov. Thanks for listening to Inside Perry, your inside look at Perry, Georgia's local government. Take a look at the show notes for more information about today's episode. If you like Inside Perry, we encourage you to subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you around in our amazing community where Georgia comes together.