100th anniversary for the Times Square ball-drop event

Details of the ball are in this video here

It was indeed exciting to check out the ball at the Macy's store in Herald Square before it was up there on Times Square for the New Years' eve. I plan to check out the whole event from my firm's office at Broadway. A noteworthy aspect about the ball is that it is GREEN i.e., it is made with some 9.5k energy efficient bulbs. I bet Philips had an agenda to advertise for free by entering in this feature. This is also a true indication of where NYC wants to project itself as a pioneer and leader in energy efficiency.

Revelers began celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year's Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square. This original Ball, constructed of iron and wood and adorned with 100 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. In 1920, a 400 pound ball made entirely of iron replaced the original. The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907.

This year, the temperature is expected to be around 25 to 35 and the fog isn't going to be there. Hence, I am expecting a good visibility from the office - which is about 7 streets away.


Silence before the storm - the silent Broadway before the madhouse... (around 2 pm) !

The celebration was scheduled to include countdowns with entertainment gurus Carson Daly and Ryan Seacrest, who will be joined by New Year's Eve legend Dick Clark, and performances by Kid Rock, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood and The Bravery. In addition, the USO Troupe of Metropolitan New York will perform and a "salute to armed forces" was planned.

About a million revelers are expected to pack the streets of the city for this event. Also new to this year's celebration is that confetti (about a ton of it) dropped when the clock strikes midnight will include wishes for the New Year written by people around the world.

I am all excited to check it out at midnight.... though I wont be a part of the madhouse downstairs on the streets !

To see what I see, you can go to earthcams here.