In this installment of the Blue Ridge Views project, the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection presents a segment documenting the New Year’s Day tradition of shooting antiquated muzzleloaders in Cherryville, Gaston County, NC. Howell Stroup, New Year Shooters organizer, and John Neal, participant, explain that the practice is based on a folk tradition from their German ancestors that firing guns on New Year’s Day brings good luck. The tradition also includes a chant.