In Times Square, it’s a Waterford crystal-encrusted ball. In Tempe, Ariz., a big chip takes the plunge into a large jar of salsa. In Brasstown, N.C., residents lower a live opossum into a cage.

Fun.

But on New Year’s Eve, Maine holds its own when it comes to “the big drop.” In Bangor, Stephen and Milva Smith have made it an annual tradition to cast a beach ball, wrapped in three packages of colored net lights from Marden’s, off the roof of their downtown apartment.

And Eastport has gotten really creative. There, Hugh French of the Tides Institute will celebrate the arrival of 2007 in New Brunswick and Maine. Since the Tides has a cross-border focus, organizers have decided to lower a giant, handmade maple leaf at midnight Atlantic time. An hour later, he’ll drop the world’s largest sardine in a nod to Eastport’s fish-packing heritage.

Lit-up beach ball. Giant fish. It’s your choice. Either way, it will be a sight to behold – and it’ll surely beat watching an opossum squirm in the air.

Here’s all the information you’ll need to ring in 2007 in style – Maine style.

Bangor

Answers provided by: Stephen Smith, event founder.

Population? 31,500.

Steve McKay’s forecast? Clouds early, with a wintry mix developing.

Where? West Market Square.

Object and reason for choosing it? Three-foot beach ball covered in lights, 300-foot extension cord; in New York, they have a million dollars worth of crystal. We couldn’t afford that, so we decided to go with Maine chic.

Weight? About 1 pound, before lights.

Height of drop? 50 feet.

How many lights and/or scales? Three packages of net lights in whatever color Marden’s has available.

How long have you been doing this? Three years.

Other related phenomenon? Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in Times Square.

Party favors? Those little noisemakers that unfurl when you blow into them.

Who’s dropping it? Gov. John Baldacci.

Who made it? Stephen and Milva Smith.

How many people expected? More than 1,500.

Machinery involved? None.

Other related festivities? Spaghetti supper, live music, movies, 5K road race, games for children throughout the downtown district. For full list of events, visit www.downtownbangor.com.

How many Porta-potties? None. Public restrooms available in Pickering Square parking garage.

Will there be confetti? Probably not.

Will any streets be closed down? Portions of Hammond, Main and Broad.

Will there be a test run? Yes. Sunday afternoon.

New Year’s resolution? To be around to do it again next year.

Eastport

Answers provided by: Hugh French, event founder.

Population? 1,640.

Steve McKay’s forecast? Clouds early, with a wintry mix developing.

Where? The new civic space in Bank Square.

Object and reason for choosing it? World’s largest sardine, made from wood, PVC pipe, chicken wire, fabric and paper mache; it is different than things done elsewhere, and it’s been such a big part of what this area was about – the area had a huge sardine industry, but no longer.

Weight? 75 pounds.

Height of drop? 50 feet.

How many lights and/or scales? Too many to count.

How long have you been doing this? Two years.

Other related phenomenon? World’s largest sardine can is located in Norway.

Party favors? Noisemakers, lit candles.

Who’s dropping it? Hugh French.

Who made it? Shana Barry.

How many people expected? About 500.

Machinery involved? A rope-and-pulley system, a boom.

Other related festivities? An open house at the Pickled Herring, a restaurant slated to open in the spring. For information, visit www.tidesinstitute.org.

How many Porta-potties? Two, provided by the Pickled Herring.

Will there be confetti?I don’t know.

Will any streets be closed down? Bank Square will be blocked off.

Will there be a test run? [Expected last] Thursday

New Year’s resolution? Eat more sardines.