What is it about dropping things from the sky at midnight to ring in the New Year and then lighting up the sky with fireworks? New York City is best known, of course, for the crystal ball drop in Times Square. But did you know that the tiny island of Key West, Florida, the southernmost city in the United States, has three of the most outrageous “fall from the sky” rituals you can imagine?

Key West is an exotic island, just two miles by four miles, with a diverse culture that is as quirky and creative as it gets. It’s also known for its over-the-top parties, with New Year’s Eve being one of the best times ever. Here are three of the most exciting options: The descent of a giant red high-heeled shoe supporting exotic drag queen Miss Sushi in the 800 block of Upper Duval Street. CNN teams are available to present this event to the world; The fall of an oversized “Conch Shell” in the 200 block of Duval Street; And the descent of a glamorous pirate girl from the mast of a tall schooner in the island’s Historic Port. Crowds swarm at all the come-as-you-are events, wearing everything from formal attire to swimwear. The following poem captures the essence of a wonderful New Year’s Eve in Old Town Key West.

It was the night before New Years, when all over the house,

No creature was sleeping, not even my spouse?

The champagne was carefully placed on the table,

Hoping that ‘Father Time’ would soon be there.

Our friends were all dressed in their best threads,

As visions of fireworks danced in their heads.

And daddy in his underpants, and me in my coat,

I had just settled our brains for a pre-party nap.

When such an uproar arose in the Old City,

I jumped out of bed to see what was going on.

I jumped on my bike and rode like lightning,

Straight down Duval Street, I did a crazy run.

The moon in the rails drove most of the way,

Because I had lost my bike light earlier that day.

What suddenly appeared before my eyes on the scene,

But a giant red heel and a sassy drag queen?

With Anderson Cooper, so lively and Gucci,

I knew at one point that it must be Miss Sushi.

Swifter than eagles came his steeds,

All 801 girls, as he called them by name!

“Now Josie! Now Kylie! Now Elle and Cassy!”

Oh Majon! Oh Marilyn! You all look so elegant!

To the top of the balcony! To the top of the wall!

Now get ready everyone! The shoe is going to fall off!”

Like palm leaves that fly before a hurricane,

I jumped back on my bike and looked up at the sky.

To my amazement right on Duval,

A giant conch shell was hanging high on the wall!

It seemed to be shining on the ceiling,

At midnight it was due to fall!

As I drew in my head, and I was turning around,

Crowds swarmed in the center of Old Town.

I jumped back on my bike and headed down to the pier,

To take on the schooners and take a quick quarter.

When in the distance I heard even more clamor,

Atop the cock’s arms was a glamorous wench?

His eyes, how they shone! her smile what joy!

Her cheeks were like roses, her hair like a fairy!

Her beautiful mouth rose like a bow,

And her perfect teeth were white as snow.

The backstay schooners she held tight in one hand,

With one sword in the other, he pointed at a rock band.

She had on a shimmering corset and a fine feather cap,

Fishnet stockings and boots to beat!

She was beautiful and happy and laughed at all of us,

And I realized that she would take the midnight slump too!

A wink of his eye and a turn of his head,

He soon let me know that I had nothing to fear.

I jumped back on my bike, sent the wench the best,

With visions of things falling from the sky in Key West,

Homeward I rode back into the dark starry night,

Happy New Year everyone and good night everyone.”