New York, NY – Just in time for Groundhog Day, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square unveiled an interactive exhibit where visitors can relive the excitement of a New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, 365 days a year. The one-of-a-kind attraction is the only place in the world where visitors can touch and interact with the original Ball from the 2007 centennial countdown, as well as the iconic Waterford Crystal podium used from the 2002 through 2014 countdowns. Previously, only a select few high-profile individuals – including Lady Gaga, Christopher Reeve, Colin Powell and Muhammad Ali – have had the opportunity to ring in the New Year at the iconic podium.

Joined by special guests from NYC & Company, the Times Square Alliance, Countdown Entertainment and the Staten Island Zoo, along with Staten Island Chuck himself, the exhibit opening marks the first of many year-long events lined up for Ripley's Believe It or Not! 10-year anniversary. The current Times Square location in New York City first opened in 2007. Today, there are 33 Ripley's Believe It Or Not! 'odditoriums' worldwide, across five different continents in 12 countries.

“We applaud Ripley's on their 10th anniversary and the launch of the new Times Square New Year's Eve experience. Visitors who come to Ripley's to see this new exhibit will experience a taste of one of the City's most iconic traditions,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company.

“This is a great addition to Times Square as it taps into the history of New Year's Eve, Times Square,
and New York City in a way that Ripley's does so well,” said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times
Square Alliance.

“We learned a long time ago that on February 2 of every year, we pay scrupulous attention to Staten
Island Chuck's predictions,” said Kenneth Mitchell, Executive Director of the Staten Island Zoo. “It's
uncanny that at least 80 percent of the time, Chuck makes an accurate forecast. Just as Chuck the
Groundhog is a staple of New York City life, and a February 2nd tradition, so too is Ripley's Believe it or
Not! where the unusual is every day.”

“We are always looking for new and exciting attractions to add to our 'odditorium,' and are thrilled
to be able to offer this experience to our visitors,” said Stacy Shuster, Director of Marketing and Sales
at Ripley's Believe It or Not!. “With the opening of this exhibit, visitors from all over the world can
relive the world-famous countdown year round with the click of a button, as well as interact with the
Centennial Ball and iconic podium. Guests will now have the opportunity to be part of that magical
moment every day.”

The first New York City Ball Drop was introduced to Times Square revelers by The New York Times,
which orchestrated the district's earliest New Year's celebrations. It made its maiden descent on
December 31, 1907, was constructed of iron and wood and adorned with 100 25-watt light bulbs, was
5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds.

On December 31, 2007, the tradition celebrated its 100th anniversary. The centennial anniversary Ball
was designed by Waterford Crystal and the Philips Lighting Company. The incandescent and halogen
bulbs of the past were replaced by state-of-the-art Philips Luxeon LED lighting technology that
dramatically increased the brightness and color capabilities of the Ball. Focus lighting created the
lighting design effects that animate the 9,576 LEDs that can create a palette of more than 16 million
vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times
Square and now, it is exclusively at Ripley's Times Square.

In addition to the centennial Ball, the new exhibit also features the original Waterford Crystal podium
as seen in the 2002 to the 2014 countdowns, as well as a display case of 18 Waterford Crystals from
18 different countdowns. The Waterford Crystal display at Ripley's is the first time the Ball crystals
can be viewed as a collection. For more information about Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square,
visit www.ripleysnewyork.com.
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ABOUT RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! TIMES SQUARE
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is currently the largest “Believe It or Not!” in North America, with over
20 galleries and more than 500 artifacts from the unique Ripley's Collection. Featuring brand new galleries,
and interactive exhibits like the newly-launched “Little Apple” room. Ripley's Times Square is the only place in
Manhattan with an incredible LaseRace™. Ripley's is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Perfect for visitors
and groups of all ages, to experience the unheard of, unimaginable and astonishing.