Crowds grew in Times Square all day Sunday as people gathered to watch the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop. Visitors from all over the world came together to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the new one.
The Modaff family, visiting from Chicago, experienced Times Square New Year’s Eve for the first time. They expressed their amazement at the experience and the importance of being together as a family during the holiday.
Securing a spot close to the action meant getting there early, and some like New Jersey resident Warren Garcia came prepared to stay for hours by wearing diapers. Many others also made preparations to withstand the long wait, such as the Schirmers from Milwaukee who opted not to drink water to avoid needing to use the bathroom.
Ringing in the new year with new friends, like Michigan resident Mike Galarowic, has become a tradition for many. Galarowic has experienced New Year’s Eve celebrations in different parts of the world but always comes back to Times Square.
The anticipation and excitement leading up to the New Year were palpable among the revelers, with people expressing their wishes for the new year, including peace and happiness for the world.
For the first time, the NYPD deployed tethered drone trucks for the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square to provide extra security and surveillance. The NYPD has also prepared to respond to any protests and has implemented various security measures to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Special guests took part in hourly countdowns throughout the night, and performers entertained the crowds as they waited to ring in the new year.
Overall, the atmosphere in Times Square was filled with excitement and a sense of camaraderie as people joined together to celebrate the arrival of 2023.