Fireworks and rain: how 2023 was celebrated in Times Square in New York
'02.01.2023'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Thousands of people welcomed 2023 in the famous Times Square in New York, despite the rain. There was a spectacular light show, and at midnight the famous ball descended, reports Daily Mail.
The start of the fall of the ball was traditionally given by the mayor of New York. Eric Adams pressed the Waterford Crystal button, which triggered a 60-second process of lowering the New Year's ball. It weighed almost 6 tons and consisted of almost 2700 crystals in over 16 million colors.
Nearly 15 masked spectators watched the ball drop ceremony.
Toilets were not available. And despite the long wait and the rain, vacationers had to stand in Times Square. Chairs and umbrellas were not provided.
People danced to Frank Sinatra's New York, New York. And after midnight, they all sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" together.
At midnight, confetti rained down on the sodden campers, glittering among giant screens and neon and pulsing lights.
Guests from all over the world came to the iconic party
Many came to the square in advance. And patiently waited in the rain, preparing for a long and merry night.
People came smart and bright. Some in shiny hats, some in 2023 glasses and waterproof capes.
When the event came to an end, many quickly fled from there, not wanting to get wet without fun.
Chelsea Cutler, JVKE, Jax, Ava Max, J-Hope, Osmani Garcia, New Edition, Sech and Duran Duran, among others, performed at the Times Square New Year's Eve event.
On the subject: Where to celebrate 2023 in New York: the best New Year's Eve parties
The streets in Manhattan have been closed since 4 am on December 31
Although there were no specific security threats in Times Square, authorities were preparing for the unexpected, New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell explained.
“Our intelligence analysts, working very closely with the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, have been monitoring any threats that may arise,” said NYPD Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division Chief Thomas Galati.
Despite heightened measures, three NYPD officers were injured due to the brutal machete attacks.
New Year's Eve in Times Square is a long tradition. People started celebrating the New Year in Times Square in 1904. And in 1907, the New Year's ball first descended from the flagpole in Times Square.
