Final Preparations for New Year's in Crowd Packed Times Square

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On a warm day that felt more like fall than the end of December 30th, crowds packed into Times Square as final preparations for New Year's Eve 2012 are underway in the crossroads of the world.  Confetti from a practice run littered the ground on 43rd street and 7th avenue midafternoon while huge spotlights and speakers were already in place for the mega-party, which is expected to draw upwards of a million people for 2012.

Shortly before noon on Friday, the ball was briefly raised and dropped at 1 Times Square to the delight of cheering crowds. (Watch video of practice run here) By 4 pm, the gawking throngs made Times Square nearly impassable with long lines at Walgreens, where tourists waited to have photos taken with the ball and Discovery Channel's exhibition site.  At Toys R Us, the crowds briefly overwhelmed the automatic doors, causing the revolving doors to briefly stop.  Sometime late tonight or tomorrow, the barricades already corralling visitors onto the sidewalks and lining Times Square, will be moved into place in anticipation for the first revelers, who are expected to arrive around 4 pm EST.  

Planning to head into Times Square for the festivities?  Check out up to date tips and weather information here.