New York will ban New Year's Eve crowds in Times Square for the first time in 114 years amid COVID-19 fears - with celebrations replaced by 'virtual event' on app
New York's Times Square will bid farewell to 2020 without the usual huddled masses jamming the streets on New Year's Eve, as celebration organizers on Wednesday responded to the global pandemic with plans for a scaled-back, virtual event.
In a 'preliminary teaser' of what was to come on Dec. 31, the Times Square Alliance said that watching the famous ball come down to usher in 2021 will be a digital affair for all but a very limited group of socially distanced, in-person honorees.
'People all over the globe are ready to join New Yorkers in welcoming in the new year with the iconic Ball Drop. I commend the Times Square Alliance, Jamestown, and Countdown Entertainment on finding a safe, creative and innovative way for all of us to continue to celebrate this century-old tradition. A new year means a fresh start, and we're excited to celebrate,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement from the Times Square Alliance.
New York's Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop will be virtual this year to accomodate for living under the pandemic
The New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square is among the biggest in the world, typically drawing about 1 million people, with more than 1 billion more tuning in on television to watch the lighted ball atop One Times Square descend as the new year arrives.
The event is co-produced by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment.
Many of the details and the live entertainment that make up a good portion of the hours-long celebration leading to the year-end countdown are still being determined, said the Times Square Alliance, which co-produces the event.
Jamestown, who owns One Times Square, build a virtual world of Times Square and an app to broadcast the New Year's Eve Ball drop. The app will allow people from all over the world to experience the light moment.
The New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square is among the biggest in the world, typically drawing about 1 million people (last year's celebratiion)
'One thing that will never change is the ticking of time and the arrival of a New Year at midnight on December 31st,' said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance,. 'But this year there will be significantly new and enhanced virtual, visual and digital offerings to complement whatever limited live entertainment or experiences – still in development -- will take place in Times Square.'
Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance, said that there will still be limited guests to highlight on some of the lighter moments of the past year
He later added: 'More than ever in these divided and fear-filled times, the world desperately needs to come together symbolically and virtually to celebrate the people and things we love and to look forward with a sense of renewal and new beginnings.'
While news and popular culture events from the past year are normally mixed into the hours long celebration, organizers are looking to lighten the mood.
'No one needs to be reminded of what the dominant news of 2020 has been so far: COVID-19 and a host of racial, economic and climate crises. Through a limited number of honored guests we will note where we've been but more importantly we will honor and celebrate the courageous and creative spirits who have helped and will help us travel through these challenging times into the New Year,' Tompkins explained.