Out With the Old, in With the New
From Times Wire Reports
The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball will be retired after it ushers in the new year one last time Thursday night, officials announced. A new ball made of crystal will be in place for next December’s drop during New York City’s millennial celebration. The current ball, made of aluminum and weighing more than 500 pounds, is six feet in diameter, illuminated by a 10,000-watt Xenon lamp, 180 75-watt halogen lamps, 144 glitter strobe lights and 12,000 rhinestones.