New Yorkers are Agog for New Year's Night

New York is ready for the big night! With two days to go, New Year's Eve party planners on Tuesday tried out the colorful shredded paper that'll drop at midnight.

Photo: New Yorkers are Agog for New Year's Night

"Three, two, one, Happy New Year!" they shouted during the Times Square Alliance's annual confetti "air worthiness" test - tossing it from an eighth story building above Times Square.
 
When the paper squares actually rain down Thursday night, thousands will include personal messages and 2010 wishes from around the world.

"I wish all my dreams will come true," wrote 13-year-old Michelle Cobos from Corona, Queens, on a yellow paper square before handing it in to the wishing wall at the Times Square Information Center at 1560 Broadway.

Cobos said that it's "cool" to think of her wish blowing in the wind with all of the confetti at midnight, but she'll be watching the ball drop on TV.
 
"Work for NASA," read one message on display at the wishing wall. Another was even more ambitious, filling a single square with tiny print: "Love for my family, peace for the world, to graduate NYU 2010, find an apartment and a job. Go on a date."

When Mayor Bloomberg pushes the button to let the ball drop at midnight, he will be joined by 12 city public high school seniors - all from schools ranked among the 100 best in America by US News & World Report.

Planners urged revelers to dress warmly, and reminded everyone that alcoholic beverages are banned and large bags and backpacks aren't allowed.

Anyone who leaves the area before the ball drops can't get back in. The NYPD will be using radiation and biological detecting equipment to keep the celebration safe.

The forecast for the Eve is a wintry mix of rain and snow and a low of 32 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. But party planners said they aren't too worried about the weather.

"The show must go on," said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. "It's New Year's Eve, people come from all around the world to be here."

New York Daily News has contributed to the report.