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Holiday Activities In Big Apple

Many people believe that New York is a place with high rise glass and steel building occupied by investment bankers who want to just make money. But the reality is that New York is a cultural, fashion, entertainment and tourist mecca. There are many events during the holiday season that attract millions of tourist from around the world to participate in.

Author: Abdul Kundi
Date: May 12, 2009 - 5:24:26 PM

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Many people believe that New York is a place with high rise glass and steel building occupied by investment bankers who want to just make money. But the reality is that New York is a cultural, fashion, entertainment and tourist mecca. There are many events during the holiday season that attract millions of tourist from around the world to participate in.

One of the most famous events on New York calendar is Macy’s thanksgiving parade. In 1924, the annual Thanksgiving parade started by Louis Bamberger in Newark, New Jersey at the Bamberger's store was transferred to New York by Macy's. In New York, the employees marched to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy's balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then "crowned" "King of the Kiddies." With an audience of over a quarter of a million people, the parade was such a success that Macy's declared it would become an annual event.

The event has grown so famous around the world that people plan their visit to New York solely to visit the parade. In recent years the parade has become controversial because of the accidents caused by huge inflated cartoon figures.

The other celebrated event is the new year’s eve ball drop celebrations at the Time square. On December 31, 1907, a ball signifying New Year's Day was first dropped at Times Square, and the Square has held the main New Year's celebration in New York City ever since. On this night hundreds of thousands of people congregate to watch the Waterford crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop the building (though not to the street, as is a common misconception), marking the new year. It replaced a lavish fireworks display from the top of the building that was held from 1904 to 1906, only to be outlawed by city officials. Beginning in 1908, and for more than eighty years thereafter, Times Square sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. During World War II, a minute of silence, followed by a recording of church bells pealing, replaced the ball drop because of wartime blackout restrictions. Today, Countdown Entertainment and One Times Square handle the New Years' Eve event in conjunction with the Times Square Alliance. A new energy-efficient LED ball, celebrating the centennial of the ball drop, debuted for the arrival of 2008. The newest ball, which will be dropped on New Year’s Eve for the arrival of 2009, will be larger and become a permanent installation as a year-round attraction.

Many couples plan their trips to this event to tie knots with their loved ones to make it more memorable. New York is also famous for its broadway shows and musicals. It is the city that never sleeps and provides round the clock entertainment to the visitors from all over the world. New York is also considered as United Nations of USA because of presence of people from all over the world. This designation is also justified because UN headquarters are also based in New York. It is estimated that 6 million people visit New York daily for various purposes. New York supports economies of its adjoining states like New Jersey & Connecticut. New York is a must see for anyone who wants to experience the potential of the human kind.

http://www.getnewyorkonline.com/

View all articles by Abdul Kundi

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