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Times Square’s New Year’s Eve Ball Will Drop Virtually This Year

It’s been over 100 years since the Times Square New Year’s Eve tradition began. For the first time in 114 years, the ball drop will go virtual for 2021.

The New York Post reports that the Big Apple will be curiously empty this year thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. There will still be a ball drop, but it’ll just be virtual. There will also be no massive crowds in the streets celebrating.

“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.”

There’s little information on what kind of activities will align with the ball drop. There will be a “very finite” number of people in Times Square during the event. Instead, those missing the ball drop can check out a “virtual world of Times Square” this year.

New Year’s goes virtual, Halloween is still happening this year

Though New Year’s Eve is going virtual, Halloween will not be. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated he will not ban trick-or-treating this year. Families will instead need to make their own decision.

“I would not ban trick-or-treaters going door to door,” Cuomo told News 12 Long Island. “You have neighbors — if you want to go knock on your neighbor’s door, God bless you and I’m not going to tell you not to. If you want to go for a walk with your child through the neighborhood, I’m not gonna tell you you can’t take your child to the neighborhood.”

Halloween will still look different in 2020. At least there will be a virtual ball drop to ring in 2021. Let’s hope next year is better in all respects.

[H/T: New York Post]