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After reading “heartbreaking” comments written by Washington residents inquiring if the city had any plans for New Year’s Eve – they didn’t – Billie Wilson decided it was high time Washington had a crab drop.

“I think there were a lot of people who, maybe, were new to the area who assumed that there would be something. The comments were just so heartbreaking. A lot of the comments were like, ‘well, there’s nothing to do for New Year’s Eve. Washington is so boring. I always go out of town.’ [It was] just so sad. I thought, gosh, there’s got to be something that we could do,” Wilson said.

Wilson moved to Washington four years ago from Williamston. Seeing crab motifs around town, she thought it would be a “neat idea” to have a big crab drop on Dec. 31, 2025.

She shared her idea with friend and skilled craftsman, Jeffrey Beerer, who graciously agreed to build the crab at no cost to the city. Beerer also said he would gift the crab to the city.

The crab will be adorned with LED lights and built to scale depending on the mechanism used to lower it into a large, glittering 2026 sign. Wilson estimated the crab could be eight feet. She hopes the crab can be dropped somewhere on the waterfront parkway or at Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park.

This way, the crab drop can be a family-friendly event featuring food trucks, fireworks and fun activities for kids until 10 p.m. From 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. adults can stay up late to ring in the new year with the crab and a bottle of champagne (or sparkling grape juice).

The crab drop will be similar to an event hosted by the Town of Manteo. Before presenting her idea to city council, Wilson reached out to the Town of Manteo for advice and inspiration. Manteo hosts an annual event called, “Meet Me in Manteo for New Year’s Eve.” This event has activities for the whole family and live music before the Elizabeth II ship is illuminated at midnight.

Wilson believes the crab drop could cost as much as Manteo’s event which is just under $73,000. Wilson is not expecting the city to pay for the crab drop. Instead, she is relying on sponsorships from local businesses and individuals to donate funds.

Putting action behind Wilson’s idea for a crab drop will be herself and others, including city councilmember Anthony Tyre, Parks and Recreation Director Kristi Roberson, Executive Director of Washington Tourism Development Authority Paula Stephenson and Washington resident Henry Capogna.

During Monday night’s city council meeting, Mayor Donald Sadler said he believes the crab drop is “a great idea.”

Anyone who would either like to join the planning committee or donate funds, can contact Wilson at 252-263-6452.