Cheers! We're getting ready to countdown to 2011 on New Year's Eve as the ball drops in Times Square in New York City. But just how do they get that almost 12,000 lb. sphere to safely travel to the ground? We sent Karen "Duff" Duffy (the host of the new series "The Broadcast on MyDaily) to get up close and personal with the Times Square Ball.



Want more fun facts to share at your New Year's Eve bash? We've got you covered:

The first New Year's Eve Celebration in Times Square was in 1904 and the first Ball lowering at One Times Square was in 1907.

The Ball is 12 feet in diameter, and weight 11, 875 lbs.

Waterford provided the 2,688 crystals that cover the Ball, and for 2011, 288 of them and designed with the brand new "Let There Be Love" pattern.

It takes 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs to light up the Ball--and it's capable of creating a palette of over 16 million colors and billions of kaleidoscope patterns.

Want more information? Check out the Times Square website or download the official Times Square Ball application for your iPhone or Andriod phone. And don't forget to check out our live feed of the Ball drop on Dec. 31 at 6 pm!