That's One Big Chandelier: New York City's New Waterford Ball

"Latest Times Square ball to mark more than New Year's eve"
CNN (November 11, 2008)

" YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) -- Next month, it'll be the famous New Year's Eve ball. Next year, it could be the Great Pumpkin.

"A bigger, brighter Waterford crystal ball will usher in 2009 above Times Square, then remain in place all year to celebrate other holidays including Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July and Halloween, organizers said Monday...."

Sounds like a good idea: using that whacking great piece of crystal and lights more than once a year. This year's ball will be about 12 feet across - double the size of last year's. Which means they need a stronger pole to hold it up, and extra bracing in the building that holds up the pole.

Bigger may not always be better, but it sure is fun to do. My opinion, anyway.