Times Square crowd braves rain to welcome 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — Rain drops fell along with confetti as revelers rang in 2019 in New York’s Times Square, capping a soggy New Year’s Eve celebration that included singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha’s stirring rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before midnight.
Crews used squeegees to try to remove water from the stages, but New Kids On The Block still splashed up puddles late Monday while performing their hit “Step by Step” on a giant set of steps.
At midnight, fireworks erupted over Times Square, couples kissed, families hugged and “Auld Lang Syne” played over loud speakers.
“It was so awesome, it’s a once in a lifetime experience,” said Colleen Giambrone, 55, of New Jersey. “Totally worth it, rain and all. It’s incredible.”
The Times Square party is always a marathon, with often cold temperatures, stringent security rules, hours-long waits and a lack of public toilets. But New Yorker Brie Dunn, 22, said being there “was like a true state of pure bliss and unity and love.”
“It felt like there was no hate in the world,” said Dunn. “That’s what I hope for in 2019 and all the years to come.”
Spectator areas in and around Times Square started filling up late Monday morning.
As always, the celebration took place under tight security, with partygoers searched at checkpoints and herded into pens ringed by metal barricades.
Thousands of police officers patrolled with the help of bomb-sniffing dogs, 1,225 security cameras and 235 “blocker vehicles” used to stop potential vehicle attacks.