THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT AND HERE COMES 2013
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanHow quickly the time flies by……The year 2012 brought with it sadness, happiness, loss, good times, bad times, financial woes and a host of different feelings that we will remember the year gone by for. But now we wipe the slate clean and begin a whole new year, one which holds a host of promises for better times.
To ring in a brighter and more optimistic year, close to 2 million people flocked to Times Square in New York City as they bundled up to try and keep warm in close to freezing temperatures. The tradition continued as eager partygoers arrived, some as early as 7:00 a.m., just to get a good spot to see the festivities, but most of the thrill and excitement began at 6:00 p.m. The beauty of the life-sized flashing advertisements for plays and television shows and products in Times Square illuminated the area with a magical magnificence.
TOSHIBA was the exclusive sponsor for the Official Countdown of the Times Square 2013 New Year’s Eve celebration. Without the presence and the power of the TOSHIBA VISION LED screen atop One Times Square, the revelers would not have been as ecstatic. It was a way to reach out to the entire world and unite all people as one.
As the clock struck midnight in various countries across the globe throughout the evening, the TOSHIBA VISION screen displayed the countdown with a flash of fireworks marking that mystical hour in the particular country displayed on the screen. There were some special animations that amazed, specifically, the one created in collaboration with NASA. Each year technology pushes us further into the future. As you downloaded the Official Times Square Ball app on your device, you had the opportunity to get your photo on the giant TOSHIBA VISION screen directly below the New Year’s Eve ball. Wow, if only to see your very own picture up in lights on the big screen!
Nivea hats, Nivea balloons, scarves, streamers, funny 2013 glasses that glowed like a Christmas tree and loud horn blowers were all you could see for miles as your eyes skimmed across the crowd for blocks and blocks.
At 6:03 p.m., the Sino-American Friendship Association (“SAFA”) presented a spectacular Chinese cultural performance along with the Panda Dance. This is a tradition to bring good luck to all. At the conclusion, red and gold pyrotechnic effects hypnotized the audience with their vivacious color and message of good fortune, luck and happiness for the coming year.
All night long, there were special moments and unforgettable performances by Neon Trees, Train and Carly Rae Jepsen and all sang some of their most popular hits. PSY got the crowd dancing in place to his “Gangnam Style” hit and was joined by MC Hammer. It was more than just New Year’s Eve for PSY. It was also his birthday.
‘The Voice‘ winner, Cassadee Pope, received an overwhelming reception as she performed one of her hits on the Nivea Kiss Stage. Yuri performed two hit songs for the international Univision viewers targeting a more universal crowd. Taylor Swift waved, smiled and threw kisses to all her fans as she performed close to the midnight bewitching hour.
A new addition to the evening was Allison Hagendorf with an energy that kept the crowds clapping as she introduced the Official Times Square Ball App so everyone could watch the festivities unfold hour by hour, minute by minute on their mobile devices.
Of course, there is something romantic about standing amongst millions holding on to your sweetheart to ring in the New Year. Mario and Courtney Lopez of celebrity fame, shared their love story on the Nivea Kiss Stage and were an inspiration to so many star-crossed lovers.
Our New Year’s Eve favorites continued to make us smile, laugh and give thanks. Carson Daly, Ryan Seacrest, Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin spent the evening with the fans as they usually do these last few hours of every year looking back over the last 12 months. We always look to them to help us to make memories.
Some of the more emotional moments of the eventful evening were the release of white and blue balloons to pay tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The streets were filled with silence as the balloons launched towards the sky almost like angels making their way towards the heavens. Representatives of ‘WhyHunger’ talked about their ‘IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER’ campaign. This tremendous cause with John Lennon’s iconic ‘IMAGINE’ playing in the background is a way to get the word out to people across the universe to end hunger and poverty by connecting viewers to nutritious and affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. The USO’s ‘Liberty Bells’ performed ‘A Military Salute’ to our armed forces and the exceptional work they are doing to protect our country.
The closer it got to midnight and the dawning of a brand new year, the more excited and anxious the crowd became. The Associated Press presented a news reel which gave us a look back at some of the major events of 2012. In all the excitement, we also cannot forget that this is the first year without Dick Clark, a symbol of New Year’s Eve for over a decade and one of the originators of the traditional ball drop in Times Square. The festivities are almost like clockwork on this cherished evening each year. We sadly lost him in 2012 but on this night, he warms our hearts like a large cup of hot chocolate and remains in our minds forever.
We knew the time was upon us as Mayor Michael Bloomberg patriotically appeared on stage to push the Waterford crystal button and lead the revelers to the final countdown. The lighted ball descended 70 feet in 60 seconds. It was a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter with a weight of 11,875 pounds. Over 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles covered the ball and 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LED’s lit up the night.
Everyone roared, kisses and confetti were flying, NYPD let down their guard for a brief moment to greet the New Year and a bond was formed for a short time between people of all races and religions standing together at the Crossroads of the World.
Just as New York City exploded with a celebration for 2013, the west coast of the United States was partying with Fergie, Justin Bieber, Beyonce, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Black Keys.
Every country welcomed the New Year in their own exclusive manner. Fireworks leaped across the sky in Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai. In Rome, a church service was held by Pope Benedict XVI. Rio de Janeiro partied with a concert on the beach. Street parties overshadowed some of the concerns that still linger as we enter a new year.
Now it is 2013. We hope for a better tomorrow and happiness and good times to be showered upon us. We learn from the past and move on to the present. May it be a prosperous and wonderful New Year for all! Hello 2013!
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