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Added on the 31/12/2020 05:42:27 - Copyright : AFP EN
New York (US), Dec 28 (EFE), (Camera: Jorge Fuentelsaz).- The Times Square Ball Drop is a News Year’s institution in New York City but in this year of pandemic, people will be more eager than ever to see this huge sphere, which comprises 2,688 crystal triangles, 32,256 LED lights capable of illuminating a palette of over 16 million colors and weighs over five metric tons, come to a rest to mark the start of 2021.The ball will spend the final 60 seconds of 2020 descending a 24 meter pole atop One Times Square tower while the last 10 seconds of the year are traditionally sung out by onlookers, many of whom seal the end of the year with a kiss. “We all want 2020 to pass as fast as possible, five, four, three, two, it’s here, yes!” Jeffrey Straus, who will oversee the drop of the 3.6 meter-wide ball at 11:59pm on 31 December, tells Efe with a smile. Straus adds that six technicians will be in charge of making sure everything goes to plan, as it has done since 1907, save for a two-year break between 1942-43 during World War II. FOOTAGE OF TIMES SQUARE BALL AND NEW YEAR'S EVE PREPARATIONS.SOUNDBITES OF JEFFREY STRAUS, PRESIDENT OF COUNTDOWN ENTERTAINMENT; AND TOM HARRIS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE.
New York, Dec 28 (EFE), (Camera: Jorge Fuentelsaz).- The Times Square Ball Drop is an annual institution in New York City but in this year of pandemic, people will be more eager than ever to see this huge sphere come to rest to mark the start of 2021.The ball will spend the final 60 seconds of 2020 descending a 24-meter pole atop One Times Square tower while the last 10 seconds of the year are traditionally sung out by onlookers, many of whom seal the end of the year with a kiss.This year, the construction comprises 2,688 crystal triangles, 32,256 LED lights capable of illuminating a palette of over 16 million colors and weighs over five metric tons.“We all want 2020 to pass as fast as possible, five, four, three, two, it’s here, yes!” Jeffrey Straus, the president of Countdown Entertainment and the person who will oversee the drop of the 3.6 meter-wide ball at 11:59 pm on 31 December, tells Efe with a smile.Straus adds that six technicians will be in charge of making sure everything goes to plan, as it has done since 1907, save for a two-year break between 1942-43 during World War II.FOOTAGE OF TIMES SQUARE BALL AND NEW YEAR'S EVE PREPARATIONS.SOUNDBITES OF JEFFREY STRAUS, PRESIDENT OF COUNTDOWN ENTERTAINMENT; AND TOM HARRIS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE.
Revelers start to gather at Times Square, as they wait for New Year's Eve celebrations to kick off in New York City. IMAGES
COVID has put a wrench in New Year's Eve celebrations globally. According to CNN, the best view of fireworks in most major cities will be from your couch. Many of the global fireworks displays will be replaced with smaller televised or streamed events, as cities take precautions against the spreading the virus. This includes: London: Their iconic fireworks show over the River Thames is canceled. England is under tough stay-at-home restrictions. New York: The ball will drop in Times Square, but the event is closed to the public. Dubai: Will move forward with their NYE celebrations, with 11 places to watch fireworks. Out of towners must be Covid-19-negative to view them. Rio de Janeiro: Fireworks are canceled and they are restricting beach access. Sydney: Their huge fireworks show is cancelled. A smaller display will light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge at midnight.
New York welcomes 2019 with the New Year's Eve ball drop on Times Square.
If you're looking for ways to ring in the New Year without braving the cold wintry weather, ABC has you covered. Beginning at 8PM ET Saturday December 31st, you can catch the excitement from NYC in the comfort of your living room, hosted by Ryan Seacrest & Jenny McCarthy in the heart of Times Square. Celebrities set to appear include Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, and even singer Lionel Richie who will chime in from his Las Vegas concert, just after the traditional ball drops performing his song “All Night Long."
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