For many Ohioans, welcoming the new year means eating a New Year’s Day meal that will bring you wealth, luck and happiness for the future. If you believe in this superstition (or you’ve just gotten used to this traditional dish), then you’ve likely heard some interesting stories about why you eat it. Pork and sauerkraut is the most common New Year’s superstition in Ohio, and the proposed explanations as to why we observe it are almost mind-boggling.

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What do you think of this popular New Year’s superstition in Ohio? Do you eat this meal on New Year’s Day? Share your thoughts, New Year’s traditions, and experiences with us!

Ohio is a quirky state with an unusual culture. If you call it home, you just might carry on some of Ohio’s most unusual traditions.

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New Year's Superstition In Ohio

Are there any other superstitions in Ohio?

The Buckeye State is quirky in the best possible way. Long-time residents can doubtlessly tell you about Ohio superstitions, as they are most definitely not uncommon. While growing up in Ohio, we heard about all sorts of hauntings and local legends. However, when we reached college, well… they grew more abundant. Hopkins Hall at Ohio State is home to a ghostly handprint that is said to reappear every time it is covered up, and many students maintain that a stroll down the Long Walk will result in a marriage proposal if you and your beloved don’t cross paths with anyone as you listen to the sound of Orton Tower’s bells ringing.

What are the most popular traditions in Ohio?

There are a number of traditions in Ohio, though they vary greatly depending on which part of the state you call home. Some carry a buckeye in their pocket as a good luck charm, and others spell out O-H-I-O with their arms for every embarrassing family photo. The most universal Ohio tradition is one that’s rampant throughout the Midwest – cornhole at every family gathering!

What is the most bizarre superstition in Ohio?

As bizarre as Ohioans can be, our superstitions are rather tame compared to most other states’. Perhaps the most unusual belief Ohioans have added credence to over the years is the alleged Cleveland sports curse. The curse asserted that major league professional sports teams in Cleveland were barred from winning, and the curse actually seemed to be somewhat legitimate for… well, just over five decades. Between 1964 and 2016, no Cleveland sports team won any sort of championship. For nearly 150 seasons, locals rooted for teams that they were ultimately certain would not win. However, Game 7 of the  2016 NBA Finals turned the curse on its head. At this point, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors… and the local curse, it seems.