Only a few hundred people – mostly rescuers spaced by barricades – had access to Times Square on New Year’s Eve to bid farewell to 2020.
The Mayor of Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray attended the low-key celebration to kick off the traditional midnight ball.
Before the new year, a star-studded performance featuring Jennifer Lopez, Cyndi Lauper and others was televised to viewers at home.
The event usually attracts thousands of tourists, but this year the almost empty case caught the attention of several Twitter users.
“It’s so surreal to watch New Year’s Eve and see Times Square empty,” a user I wrote.
Another person on Twitter scoffed at the “sad” setup.
“NYE’s celebration in Times Square was sad. People in cow pens wearing Planet Fitness hats and they dropped the ball late after the slowest version you’ve ever heard about Imagine, and DeBlasio dancing super weirdly. Hell NYC, ” he tweeted.
A third user was also unimpressed by the display.
“This must be the most pathetic New Year’s celebration ever seen in Times Square. How depressing! ” the person I wrote.