Times Square has once again played host to a special unveiling that signals the almost imminent turnover of the annual calendar. As reported by ABC7NY, the "2025" numerals, each standing a towering seven feet tall, were installed on Broadway Plaza between 46th and 47th streets yesterday morning. Each number, illuminated by up to 620 energy-efficient LED bulbs, will be viewed up close by the general public from now until the morning of December 23.
Adding to the allure, PIX11 captured the enthusiasm of the crowd during the first official countdown led by Jeffrey Straus, the president of Countdown Entertainment. New Yorkers and visitors alike gathered in anticipation, seasoning the square with a palpable sense of excitement for the upcoming new year. In a moment of collective jubilation, the crowd joined in the countdown, culminating with the illumination of the numerals, which PIX11 described as a "well appreciated preview."
Teresa Hui, a local who works near Times Square, showed up representing the full spirit of the season with accessories themed after the number "2025." "How cool is that to have your own personal countdown?" she told PIX11. Meanwhile, Joe Simon, expressed the duality of the event as both a free spectacle and a harbinger of optimism for the new year, saying, "It's another New York thing you can see for free, for one thing. And it gives you optimism for the new year."
This year, there was a booth facilitating visitors to write their wishes for 2025 on pieces of confetti. Among the crowds lining up to share their aspirations, Cammy Montes and Luis Marquez from San Juan, Puerto Rico, put forward a universal sentiment, with Marquez sharing his wish for "Peace in the world", as noted by PIX11.
