Photo: Screenshot/Times Square Video
New Yorkers reveled into the New Year 2018 with a splash of lights, music, fireworks and ball drop at the Times Square – braving off bone-chilling cold.
Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the celebrations marking diversity of the city, and welcomed the New Year with a dance as happiness of a new milestone got better of security concerns that arose from terrorist incidents last year.
Millions of Americans watched the live entertainment event at the Times Square as they welcomed 2018 with vows and hopes.
At Times Square, people hugged, kissed and danced to greet the New Year with enthusiasm amid tight security arrangement.
As the clock clicked midnight, the traditional crystal ball dropped setting off bursts of confetti and dazzling fireworks.
Sunday was the second-coldest night on record.
The temperature was only 10 degrees (minus 12 degrees Celsius) in New York City at midnight. The coldest ball drop celebration was in 1917, when it was only 1 degree (minus 17 degrees Celsius).
Yet, New Yorkers were in no no mood to stay away from the central point of New Year celebrations as they waved, sang and danced wearing warm hats and face masks to protect against freezing cold.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) made extra security arrangements with party goers pouring into the Times Square having to pass through 12 checkpoints where policemen carrying metal-detector wands checked against any threats.
