Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New York Webcam Feed for Times Square Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

Times Square is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. On December 31, 1907, a ball signifying New Year's Day was first dropped at Times Square, and the Square has held the main New Year's celebration in New York City ever since.

This live feed is in Times Square for the New Year's Eve festivities:

Times Square New Years Eve Live

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On that night, hundreds of thousands of people congregate to watch the Waterford Crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop the building (though not to the street, as is a common misconception), marking the new year. It replaced a lavish fireworks display from the top of the building that was held from 1904 to 1906, only to be outlawed by city officials. Beginning in 1908, and for more than eighty years thereafter, Times Square sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. During World War II, a minute of silence, followed by a recording of church bells pealing, replaced the ball drop because of wartime blackout restrictions. Today, Countdown Entertainment and One Times Square handle the New Year's Eve event in conjunction with the Times Square Alliance.

A new energy-efficient LED ball, celebrating the centennial of the ball drop, debuted for the arrival of 2008. The 2008/2009-ball, which was dropped on New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2008) for the arrival of 2009, is larger and has become a permanent installation as a year-round attraction, being used for celebrations such as Valentine's Day and Halloween. On average, about 1 million revelers crowd Times Square for the New Year's Eve celebrations. However, for the millennium celebration on December 31, 1999, published reports stated approximately two million people overflowed Times Square, flowing from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue and all the way back on Broadway and Seventh Avenues to 59th Street, making it the largest gathering in Times Square since August 1945 during celebrations marking the end of World War II.

Edinburgh Hogmanay Webcam Feed for Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner. It is, however, normally only the start of a celebration which lasts through the night until the morning of New Year's Day (1 January)

This live feed is in Edinburgh for this year's Hogmanay party and fireworks:

Edinburgh Hogmanay Live Feed

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There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of 'first-footing' which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. Food and drink (as the gifts) are then given to the guests. This may go on throughout the early hours of the morning and well into the next day (although modern days see people visiting houses well into January). The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of the year. Traditionally, tall dark men are preferred as the first-foot.

The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" has become common in many countries. "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns, which was later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although it is only intended that participants link arms at the beginning of the final verse, coordinating with the lines of the song which contain the lyrics to do so. Typically it is only in Scotland this practice is carried out correctly.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Webcam Feed for Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

The Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve Fireworks are held every New Year's Eve, over Sydney Harbour, centering on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They take place in two shows, one show at 9pm (the 9pm Family Fireworks) and one at midnight (the Midnight Fireworks). The fireworks show has become the most-watched New Years Eve fireworks display in the world.

This live feed is in Sydney for the New Year fireworks display:

Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks Live

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The fireworks are regularly viewed by more than one million people, with the New Year's Eve 2007 - 2008 display being viewed by 1.5 million people. The display usually has a theme, with the 2009-2010 theme being "Awaken the Spirit". As of 2009-10,the television coverage will revert to the Nine Network and will be broadcast in two parts, matching the two displays.

Prior to the 1999–2000 show, the major display was held at 9pm (the current time of the Family Fireworks display) and a small display was held at midnight. Since 2000 the display has been designed and created by "Foti International Fireworks". The 9pm display since then is usually smaller and mainly shows fireworks on a few of the river barges. In the midnight display, the bridge, city buildings and all barges are actively involved and this display usually runs for twelve to fifteen minutes, with a few exceptions, including the Millennium Celebrations.