New York and Boston invest large sums in annual celebrations
First Night was planned to be a night to remember in cities around the United States. Cities dedicated the passing of the old year to the memories of those who perished on Sept. 11. Some cities sponsored celebrations, while others let the private clubs take the initiative.
Times Square
Times Square in New York City is one of the best-known celebrations with its trademark ball lowering to ring in the new year.
According to a press release, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year’s Eve, when the owners of One Times Square began celebrating the new year on the rooftop in 1904. However, the first ball lowering wasn’t until Dec. 31, 1907. The lowering was suspended for two years during World War II in 1942 and 1943. Instead of cheering in the new year, the crowds celebrated with a minute of silence, which was followed by chimes ringing out from an amplifier truck.
Made of iron and wood and decorated with 100 25-watt light bulbs, the original New Year’s Eve ball weighed 700 pounds and was five feet in diameter. The current ball is a geodesic sphere, weighing approximately 1,070 pounds and measuring six feet in diameter. It descends 77 feet in 60 seconds. The ball now boasts 696 multicolored light bulbs, 96 high-intensity strobe lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors.
Waterford crystal triangles numbering 504 now adorn the ball, all of which were replaced with crystals engraved with the countries who lost citizens in the attacks of Sept. 11. Other crystals were engraved with the names of uniformed rescue organizations that lost members during the rescue effort. The Pentagon, World Trade Center and
the four airline
flights were also memorialized with
engraved crystals.
At 6 p.m., a special bell-ringing ceremony was held to commemorate the events of Sept. 11 to accompany the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball.
Starting at 6:58 p.m., two minutes of sound effects and music culminating in a 30-second video countdown on giant Panasonic Astrovision screens marked the end of each hour. The music and sound effects were heard using a wireless surround sound system specially engineered for Times Square.
At 9:30 p.m., American flags, single-use cameras, multi-colored Mylar pom-poms and Official Times Square Confetti Bags were distributed to revelers gathered in the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Streets between Broadway and 7th Avenue).
At 10 p.m., a live video feed of the celebration in Times Square was sent to broadcasters worldwide.
At 11:59 p.m., Mayor Rudolph Giuliani pushed the button with two guests to signal the final 60-second countdown prior to the ball lowering.
At midnight, New Year’s Day, the light bulbs on the ball were tuned off as the numerals “2002” burst to life, shining high above Times Square while confetti was released from rooftops of buildings throughout the square creating a panorama of color.
Even though the Times Square celebration is the best-known celebration, it is not the most expensive. The Times Square Business Improvement District spent approximately $1 million on the Times Square celebration, said Karen Zornow, assistant vice-president for marketing and public relations. This does not include the city’s cost of security and clean-up.
Boston
Boston’s First Night celebration spent approximately $1.5 million and another $2 million in city costs, said Geri Guardio, executive director.
First Night, Inc., the private, not-for-profit organization produces First Night Boston as a model for more than 200 similar celebrations throughout the United States through private donations, corporate sponsorship and First Night button sales.
Boston’s events included two fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve, one at 7 p.m. to celebrate midnight Greenwich Mean Time – recognized as the universal time around the world – and one at midnight EST, over Boston Harbor. Each show was approximately 10 minutes in length.