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Times Square to get all-star lineup of New Year's Eve entertainers
Photo credit: Getty Images
The stars have aligned to ensure Times Square again throws the biggest New Year's Eve bash -- possibly in the city's history.
Teen pop idol Justin Bieber, who creates chaos every time he steps foot in the Big Apple, will be joined by Lady Gaga, Pitbull and other top entertainers at the Crossroads of the World. They'll perform as part of the annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest."
Organizers said the all-star lineup could help draw more than 1 million people if the crowds continue swelling as far north as 59th Street and the weather holds up (the early forecast indicates a low of 35 degrees).
"We've had some pretty big-name people before, but this could well be a new record," said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, which coordinates the annual celebration.
"This caliber of entertainment shows that Times Square is nothing if not a reflection of popular culture," Tompkins added. "So it's more appropriate than ever that the most significant people in pop culture and music are performing here."
Some advice: Get there early Saturday, but don't even think about camping out. Spectators also won't be allowed to bring backpacks or open bottles of alcohol to the evening's festivities, police warned.
While authorities haven't reporteda specific threat, hundreds of cops and dozens of surveillance cameras will be watching, especially in midtown.
"As a precaution we have a counterterrorism overlay for large gatherings like ... the New Year's Eve ball drop," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.
And what about traffic?
Columnist "Gridlock" Sam Schwartz said the week between Christmas and New Year's is generally light on traffic because people are on vacation. Still, there will be several street closures to be mindful of.
Seventh Avenue could begin closing as early as 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Saturday, beginning at 42nd Street and working its way up to 59th Street, Schwartz said.
Broadway will be shut down from 47th to 59th streets until early Sunday morning, and traffic will spill over to Fifth and Ninth avenues, he added.
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