The crystal ball that will usher in 2010 in Times Square Thursday night will be fitted with 300 new Waterford crystal triangles in a new motif to say "Let there be courage" in the New Year, dpa quoted media reports as saying today. The traditional descent of the crystal ball in Times Square 60 seconds before the close of 2009 will be watched by hundreds of thousands of Americans and tourists alike in the square, in the heart of Manhattan, and millions more watching on television worldwide. The crystal triangles, which were being installed on the giant, illuminated ball on Monday by technicians, will show an interlocking ribbon-like pattern to look like a Celtic knot, news reports said. The theme for this year"s celebrations will be on courage. About 300 of the ball"s 2,668 crystal triangles will be replaced, bearing the Celtic knot design, which is similar to the yellow ribbons to welcome home military troops and the red ribbons for AIDS awareness. The new crystal can withstand high winds, snow, rain and temperatures as the ball is placed on top of pole mounted atop a Times Square building 130 metres above ground.
