New Year’s Eve in NYC

For 113 years the New Year’s Eve Ball has been dropping in Time Square. Who hasn’t watched it either in person or online? It is a global iconic event. Countless revelers around the globe tune in so they know exactly when to toast, cheer and make noise. While the first ball didn’t drop until 1907, the first New Year’s Eve party in Times Square was hosted in1904 by Mr. Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times. His party was such a success that bringing in the New Year in midtown quickly supplanted Lower Manhattan’s Trinity Church celebration.

Today satellite technology is responsible for allowing an estimated one billion partygoers access to the ball dropping. The ball weighs 11,875 pounds thanks in part to the 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles (according to the official website of Times Square). The Gift of Love, a series of overlapping hearts, is the name of the new crystal design introduced this year. They will be added to the other various shaped crystals on the ball. As this stunning ball makes its way down to Time Square, its supporting actor, an estimated one ton of confetti, will also drop and join the party.

If you are planning on viewing the ball drop in person, get there early. The celebration begins as early as 6 PM and places to view are on a first come first serve basis. As I write this article, the weather forecast is for a mild evening but that could change. If you aren’t brave enough to endure the elements, there are a number of hotels in the area where you can view the party indoors. You can also live stream the drop here: https://livestream.com/2023

Happy New Year. May your New Year be filled with light and love!