today, it's waterford crystal, and it's bigger and brighter. >> it actually has 2,608 waterford crystal triangles. 32,256 l.e.d.s that create over 60 million colors, billions of patterns, like a kaleidoscope in the sky. >> reporter: revelers have welcomed the new year in times square since 1904, when it marked the opening of the "new york times" headquarters and the completion of the city's first subway line. today it's a made for tv event. new kids on the block among the performers. tens of thousands of balloons will filter through the crowd. times square was targeted earlier this year in a failed car bomb attempt. while there are no specific or credible threats against the new year's eve celebration, security will be tight. >> we'll have several thousand police officers deployed. we have every indication that it will be a safe and happy event. >> reporter: once the clock strikes midnight, the crowd disperses, cleanup begins, and they start planning for the next