Nation celebrates 2001 with dancing and fireworks

NEW YORK (AP) _ Welcome to the REAL third millennium. <br><br>Mathematical purists who opted out of champagne for last New Year's Eve were happy Sunday to enjoy the first day of 2001, while revelers

Monday, January 1st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Welcome to the REAL third millennium.

Mathematical purists who opted out of champagne for last New Year's Eve were happy Sunday to enjoy the first day of 2001, while revelers across the nation gleefully celebrated the millennium for a second time.

``It's a real sense of occasion,'' explained Noel Whittaker, 28, who flew to New York City from London to participate in the annual ritual in Times Square.

``It's the energy of the people and watching the crowd get excited. The amount of time and energy that obviously goes into this for just one night makes it really special,'' he said.

The electric mood was heightened by the presence of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who joined New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in pressing the button that started a crystal-covered ball's descent, signaling the end of 2000 and the start of 2001.

``You've gotta do this once in your life,'' said Eric Robertson, visiting from Ottawa with his wife. ``This is unreal. This isn't really happening.''

But it was happening, from Massachusetts to Los Angeles. Partygoers danced in downtown Denver, gambled in Las Vegas and watched fireworks over the Delaware River.

In Las Vegas, some 350,000 people were estimated to have witnessed what had been dubbed the ``Big Bang,'' the biggest fireworks display in the nation. There were no fireworks last year due to Y2K safety concerns.

``The atmosphere is electric,'' said newlywed Kim McCosker.

About $500,000 worth of fireworks were launched at midnight from 11 hotel-casinos on the Strip. Police arrested 82 people, mostly for minor offenses, said Lt. Mark Joseph.

To Mark Markowitz, a 32-year-old New York City musician, the 58-degree weather seemed balmy. ``This is not the year to be in Manhattan. This is the place to be,'' he said.

Not so, said many in Times Square. The place where a record throng of nearly 2 million people gathered to welcome 2000 _ some said it was the new millennium _ was ready for a new onslaught as city sanitation crews worked around the clock to clear the last significant vestiges of Saturday's 12-inch snowfall.

Revelers who filed into cordoned-off areas north of 42nd Street seemed to care less about millennial debates. Indeed, less hype meant fewer people.

John Horsky, 40, of New York, attending his third Times Square celebration, said the crowds were thinner this year than last year, affording him a better view.

Pat Ingoglio, 50, also of New York, was a first-timer. ``I thought maybe if I get to see it at least once before I die I'll be happy,'' she said. ``Besides, it's good to spend New Year's with friends.''

Police estimated that 700,000 people _ far less than half the number to welcome 2000 _ descended on Times Square. Twenty-one people were arrested

A 17-minute fireworks display erupted over downtown Denver as up to 140,000 people packed the 16th Street Mall. City officials hoped the party would make up for the lack a celebration to ring in the year 2000.

``Last year, nobody did anything in Denver,'' said Kelly McMullen, a 22-year student enjoying the explosions. ``It's nice to see the city is finally taking it seriously this year.''

Detroit had more to celebrate that just the dawning of the new year _ 2001 marks its 300th birthday, and its major New Year's Gala incorporated the opening of a time capsule from 1901.

The year also marks the 100th birthday of Philadelphia's City Hall, the elaborate, 695-room fortress that today is home to city offices and courtrooms. The building's birthday was celebrated with treasure hunts, tours and a debate _ all in the national historic landmark building.