Houghton will be ringing in the New Year in a novel way this year…with a “chook” drop. A “chook” is the U.P. term for “touque” or a winter hat worn first by the area’s 17th century French voyageurs. Chooks are popular in the Keweenaw, almost as much so as plaid. The organizers at Visit Keweenaw say the New Years Eve Chook Drop will take place on the downtown pier in Houghton, starting at 11:30 p.m on the 31st. There will be music until midnight until the chook drops! For more information, go to the Houghton NYE Chook Drop Facebook page.