New Years revelers mark end of bleak decade

NEW YORK - Some 1 million revelers welcomed the new year in New York Citys Times Square, despite the rain, slushy streets and heightened security.New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and 12 students from 12 top New York public high schools triggered the traditional crystal ball drop one minute before the New Year.Colourful fireworks rang out and numerous confetti rained down as the huge crowd greeted the year 2010.Each year during the New Years Eve celebration in Times Square, a time ball made of crystal and electric lights is raised to the top of a pole on the One Times Square building and then lowered to mark the coming of the New Year. The Ball usually descends 23 meters over the course of a minute, coming to rest at the bottom of its pole at 12:00 am. Bundled up against the cold rain, the masses of people wearing funny hats started gathering early in the afternoon.Despite a bad forecast and fears of terrorism, nothing could dampen the party mood in the famed Crossroads of the World.
The New Year got under way with blasting horns and fireworks shot from the Sky Tower.(ENDS)/ia