Times Square’s iconic New Year’s Eve Ball now has a new lighting display pattern, in the form of a bow tie. The design was previewed on Wednesday and is intended as a partial homage to the area known as “the Bowtie” due to the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue forming a similar shape. The revamped look was created in partnership with the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort and casino and will make its debut as the ball lights up to ring in the new year and then rise back up its iconic pole. The ball will be stationed at 1 Times Square for the next year, accompanied by 7-foot-tall 2024 numerals.
The New Year’s Eve Ball has undergone seven revisions since the first celebration in 1907. The current version is 12 feet in diameter and weighs over 12,000 pounds, adorned with LED-covered crystal triangles capable of displaying over 16 million colors. More than a billion viewers worldwide are expected to tune in for the event, although thousands will also gather in Times Square for the in-person celebration.
Holiday-related street closures and transportation advisories were detailed by the Times Square Alliance and the MTA. These include vehicle traffic closures, pedestrian access points, subway and bus schedule changes, as well as safety arrangements. Officials noted that nearly 450 demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas war have taken place in New York City since the conflict broke out on Oct. 7. Despite this, the NYPD has not reported any credible threats to the city for New Year’s Eve. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of upping security and being prepared for unpredictable circumstances.
The Times Square Alliance also advises that all bags will be searched, with restrictions placed on items such as large bags, coolers, alcohol, and drugs. The celebration is set to last from shortly before 6 p.m. on Sunday until midnight, with entrance to the viewing areas granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Weather conditions are expected to be partly cloudy. Whether spectators join in person or watch remotely, the new lighting display on the New Year’s Eve Ball is poised to mark a unique and exciting beginning to 2022.
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Photo credit gothamist.com