The countdown to the new year in Times Square is getting some high-profile help - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
The organizers of the annual celebration announced Sunday that Sotomayor, a native of the Bronx, will lead the final 60-second countdown and push the ceremonial button to signal the descent of the Times Square New Year's Eve ball.
The giant New Year's Eve ball is covered in more than 2,600 crystal triangles and lit from within by more than 32,000 lights.
Also on Sunday, the annual confetti test was held in Times Square. Paper rained down from the Hard Rock Cafe marquee in the annual runup to the New Year's Eve festivities. - AP