TIFTON — Tifton welcomed 2023 during the evening hours of Dec. 31, 2022 and the opening minutes of Jan. 1, 2023 in the Gnat Drop at the American Legion Fairgrounds.

Normally held at the Charles Kent Administration Building, the Gnat Drop was moved to the fairgrounds due to concerns about bad weather. Rain never arrived but the venue did allow for more room for attendees inside the fairgrounds building and for cars to park to watch the gnat make its plunge.

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith welcomed the crowd to the venue at 7 p.m., offering a moment of reflection for those lost in 2022 and for well wishes in 2023.

Musical entertainment took place throughout the night, including music by the Mood Doctors. A screen was set up to watch the University of Georgia-Ohio State Peach Bowl national semifinal football game. As luck would have it, the game ended at nearly the stroke of midnight.

After the gnat finished his descent to earth, an announcement was made that Georgia won (42-41, with Ohio State missing a field goal as time expired). G-Man’s “Gnat Drop” played over speakers as fireworks were set off in the sky.