Countdown to the countdown - The New Year's Eve crystal ball is tested in Times Square
Record ID:
1450897
Countdown to the countdown - The New Year's Eve crystal ball is tested in Times Square
- Title: Countdown to the countdown - The New Year's Eve crystal ball is tested in Times Square
- Date: 30th December 2019
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 30, 2019) (REUTERS) COUNTDOWN AND BALL RISING BALL RISING STUDENTS AND OTHERS LOOKING TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT TIM TOMPKINS TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT TIM TOMPKINS, SAYING: "And what they can expect is one of these few moments in our lives and in the world when people really come together and they celebrate the things they love and the people they love and they send goodwill to the world and hope for the future." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT TIM TOMPKINS, SAYING: "One of the other things that people can expect is that this year we have special guests who represent the hope of humanity, who are science teachers from New York City's public schools and their students. And that's because during the last year, climate change was such a big theme. And of course, the future lies in young people who demand action and come up with solutions because they understand science." BALL RISING
- Embargoed: 13th January 2020 19:05
- Keywords: New Year's Eve New York City Tim Tompkins Times Square ball drop ball test climate change science
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BC64BBT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The countdown to midnight has begun in Times Square. In a final test before the big night, the world-famous Times Square crystal ball was illuminated and elevated on Monday (December 30).
After a practice countdown and the flip of a switch, the massive crystal ball came to life with a kaleidoscope of vibrant lights.
With 32,256 LED lights and 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, the ball climbed the 130-foot pole atop One Times Square.
Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins, who co-produces the New Year's Eve event along with Countdown Entertainment, said gathering to watch the ball drop can offer a special occasion.
"(It) is one of these few moments in our lives and in the world when people really come together, and they celebrate the things they love and the people they love and they send goodwill to the world and hope for the future."
This year, New York City public school science teachers and students will be special guests during the countdown.
"That's because during the last year, climate change was such a big theme. And of course, the future lies in young people who demand action and come up with solutions because they understand science," Tompkins said.
More than one million people are expected to crowd Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve to watch the crystal ball countdown to 2020.
(Production: Hussein Waaile, Angela Moore) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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