FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2013, file photo, donfetti flies over New York's Times Square after the clock strikes midnight during the New Year's Eve celebration as seen from the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York. The countdown to the new year in Times Square is getting some high-profile help — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
December 30, 2013 - 11:09 PM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - When revelers pack New York's Times Square to ring in 2014, they will be greeted with some familiar practices: The annual ball drop, a hefty police presence and live musical performances.
But for the first time in a decade, a New York City mayor won't be attending the countdown at the crossroads of the world Tuesday.
Outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he's sitting this year out to spend time with family. And Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio will be sworn into office at a private ceremony at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Instead, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will lead the 60-second countdown and push the ceremonial button to signal the descent of the Times Square New Year's Eve ball.
Organizers say about 1 million people are expected to pack the area.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013