Massive Sparkling New Year's Eve Ball Hoisted Back Atop Its Perch On One Times Square
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The Times Square New Year's Eve ball has been getting quite a workout the past few days.
After being hoisted to position for its famous minute-long drop to mark the start of 2013, the six-ton ball bedecked in Waterford crystals was again lifted 130 feet atop its post on One Times Square.
WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports
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"It's back there for everybody to see 365 days a year," said Jeff Straus, the president of Countdown Entertainment.
There was a countdown and cheering as the massive ball made its ascent. Well above the crossroads of the world, the ball featuring 32,256 LED lights will continue its light show throughout the new year.
"The ball's like a kaleidoscope in the sky because, literally, it changes colors constantly with different patterns, over 16 million colors, over a billion different designs," Straus told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "That mixture of just beautiful colors and changes - it's mesmerizing."
WEB EXTRA: Times Square New Year's Eve In Pictures
About a million people packed into Times Square to watch the ball drop. Straus said after a short breather, the planning for New Year's Eve 2013 will get under way.
"This is the end of one year, the beginning of the next," Straus told Smith. "There's always something new. The world changes and so does the event, and it's just going to get bigger and better."
Looking back at this year's party, those in charge said it'll be hard to top the celebration.
"It was fabulous. I thought 2013 got off to an amazing, amazing start. I think it's going to be a lucky year, I think it's going to be a great year for New York City," said Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins.
The ball is 12 feet in diameter and is covered in nearly 2,700 Waterford crystal triangles.
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