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New Year's Eve Revelers Start Filling Times Square

By Della Hasselle | December 31, 2011 1:00pm

TIMES SQUARE — Times Square revelers seem pretty desperate to see the end of 2011.

Nearly 24 hours before the famous ball is set to drop, tourists and party-goers started traipsing into the Crossroads of the World, prepared to brave midwinter temperatures, massive crowds and  bathroom deprivation to be at the center of the New Year action.

Even as a heavy rain shower soaked them at noon Saturday, they refused to budge.

"We've been here for 12 hours and only had coffee," said Lilly Arrietta, 25, a student from Connecticut who brought her friend Laid Barreto, 24, into Times Square.

"We love it. It's New York City. It's our first time and we're so excited about Lady Gaga."

For school student Ariana Afanador, 14, who came from New Jersey at 2 a.m. with her mom, it was the second Times Square celebration.

"I came last year and it was amazing," she said.

"It's full of energy and excitement. It's just a wonderful time to be with friends."

Jordan Nations, 17, came with his brother Matt, 22, from Sarasota, Florida.

"I'm crossing this off my bucket list," he said. "We always watch it on tv, but just once I wanted to be with all these crazy people."

Starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, police were expected to start shutting off streets around Times Square.

They were also telling revelers they could not bring backpacks, packages, bags or alcohol into the area.

The festivities are set to begin at 6 p.m., when the ball will be lit and raised atop One Times Square.

Performances throughout the evening will include stars such as Drake, Pitbull, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

The event will be broadcast live on DNAinfo.

Though the weather is forecast to reach a reasonably warm 55 degrees on Saturday, temperatures are expected to fall to 39 degrees tonight. Showers are also expected.