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Ringing in the New Year
Celebrations Around the United States
By Suzy Feine
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days o' lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my Dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet for auld lang syne."
Where will you be when that faithful song is sung to ring in the coming new year?
Each year, New Year's Eve celebrations abound in every major city. Some include adult-only celebrations, complete with alcoholic beverages. However, more and more people are choosing to forego the hangover and ring in the New Year with friends and family at safe events. Here's a few of the top family-oriented celebrations around the country.
One Times Square, New York, N.Y.People around the world will once again watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York. This tradition began in 1904 when the owners of the building located between 42nd and 43rd Streets on Broadway and Seventh Avenue, now known as One Times Square, began rooftop fireworks displays in honor of the New Year.
To ring in the new year, the evening events will begin at 6 p.m. when the ball is lit and raised 77 feet to its resting point atop a flagpole at One Times Square. The ball, designed by Waterford Crystal, is covered with 504 Waterford crystal triangles, 696 multicolored Philips light bulbs, 96 high-intensity strobe lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors. Various activities occur throughout the evening, ending with the dropping of the ball at 11:59 p.m. to celebrate the New Year.
More than 500,000 people travel to New York City each year to be part of this historical celebration. For more information on the Times Square New Year's Eve event, visit www.timessquarebid.org or call (212) 768-1560.