HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 – TIMES SQUARE
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Photos: George Whylie, Video: Maxine Nolan
‘There is no better ship than friendship’. We look back upon 2011 as a tough economic year for the history books but look ahead with a sense of optimism at the year ahead of us, 2012.
Moderate temperatures in the low 50’s brought a crowd of excited partygoers to the streets of Times Square early in the day on Saturday, December 31st, to await the welcome of a bright new year. You could easily find representation in Times Square from countries as far away as London, England and Beijing, China. A very upbeat group of girls decided to make a road trip from Dallas to ‘The Big Apple’ to herald in the New Year amongst the massive throngs of people only to head back home once the clock struck midnight.
People lined the streets and filled the barricaded areas with not an empty space to be found. As day turned into evening, blue balloons and matching Nivea ‘Dare to be Kissed’ hats could be spotted for blocks with a hint of confetti dotting the skies like snowflakes of winter in the night sky.
The festivities opened with a special presentation from Beijing, China’s municipal government and a traditional and colorful Chinese lion dance. The crystal balls at Times Square emitted red and yellow light to signify fortune and good luck in the coming year as part of a Chinese cultural tradition. This was a promising symbol of better cultural relations between the two countries.
A smiling and animated Ryan Seacrest, synonymous with New Year’s Eve in Times Square, walked into the crowd early in the evening to greet his fans and followers as they reached out for a hug and a picture to remember. Also cheering in a brighter year was Carson Daly, Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.
Excitement filled the brisk air as the celebrity couple, Bill and Giuliana Rancic, dominated the stage at intervals. They shared conversation with the crowd, read resolutions from visitors who dropped their wishes in a ball at the Times Square Visitors Center and a surprise engagement took place as a Florida couple made their way to the stage. The proposal was broadcast live on the Toshiba big screen in Times Square. Sponsors for this event included Nivea, Philips, Waterford Crystal, Toshiba and Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark. This year was the 104th anniversary of the historic ball drop.
You could feel the thrill and excitement of this special evening as you glanced up at all the billboards that lit up the night and the star of the evening, the ‘crystal-paneled’ ball, 400 feet above the street and decorated with 3,000 Waterford crystal triangles. A remembrance of those we lost on 9/11 took place for a brief moment since this past year marked the ten-year anniversary.
With an impressive line-up of stars, the revelers received a real treat with performances by:
Rapper, singer-songwriter sensation Pit Bull
Grammy-nominated artist Drake
Young girl heartthrob, Justin Bieber, doing a rendition of The Beatles hit ‘Let It Be’ accompanied by favorite guitarist and musician, Carlos Santana
New York native and singing sensation, Lady Gaga, performing a medley of hits, “Heavy Metal Lover”, “Marry the Night” and “Born This Way”
Musical success, Nicki Minaj, captured the crowd with her passion for song and celebration
There were additional performers throughout the evening entertaining the crowds of people and keeping them moving to the beat.
An unlikely couple, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Lady Gaga, shared a kiss at midnight as the big ball dropped and then they took to the dance floor to none other than ‘Auld Lang Syne’ which led into ‘New York, New York’. We were all caught up in this New York moment.
Celebrations took place all across the world at different historic moments that signal in 2012 and fireworks lit up the night.
As quickly as New Year’s Eve came, the day was over but we are eagerly opening the curtain this morning to a new and brighter today, 2012, with most of our troops back home, an election year and hopefully a healing economy in our near future.
Thanks go out to Times Square Alliance for once again planning and making this a very successful event.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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