CANAJOHARIE — In Times Square, New Year’s Eve revelers count down the last seconds of the year as a light-filled ball descends to the ground.

In Montgomery County, they won’t drop a ball — it’ll be a big beech nut.

The Canajoharie–Palatine Bridge Chamber of Commerce organized a “Last Night” event which, for the second year, will feature an item from local history descending at midnight.

The village of St. Johnsville ended 2007 by dropping a replica of a piano, recalling player pianos manufactured in the late 1800s and early 1900s, said Holly Reiser, an event coordinator at the Canajoharie-Palatine Chamber of Commerce.

Like the Englehardt Piano Co. of St. Johnsville, the Beech-Nut corporation played a vital role in the local economy in Canajoharie and in Palatine Bridge on the other side of the Mohawk River.

Reiser said the fake beech nut with a diameter of between two and three feet is made of paper mache and will likely be dropped from a fire department ladder truck with a countdown.

“It’s a tribute,” Reiser said.

New Year’s Eve events for children and adults are planned in both villages, with a square dance at the Ace Hardware in Palatine Bridge and a free movie at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie.

“We’re hoping it will bring people together to celebrate and to see what we are doing in this area,” Reiser said.

The Arkell Museum will be showing “Ice Age II: The Meltdown,” with popcorn from 6 to 8 p.m., and at 8 p.m., the museum will host an open mic night.

Arkell Museum education and public programs coordinator Andrew Albertson said he sent flyers to several high schools prior to the event but he expects adults may show up as well to share their poetry or classical music.

Musical entertainment will take place in three locations, with the Choralaires performing at 7 p.m. at the Liberty ARC.

People can attend the square dance at the Ace Hardware in the Dutchtown Plaza with music by Linda Lee and the Fox Creek Band.

The Canajoharie Youth Center on Erie Boulevard will host Stone Soup for music at 8:30 p.m., and local eateries including the Church & Main and Mercato’s will be open for guests, Resier said.

Admission for the events, except for the Canajoharie Fire Department’s lasagna supper, requires a $5 badge for adults, children 11 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult.

The fire department’s lasagna supper costs $12 at the door and includes bread, salad, a beverage and dessert.