For the first time this year, Downtown Pittsburgh's New Year's Eve celebration will be marked by the raising of a giant ball at midnight, a la Times Square.

Yes, raised: the thousand-pound, glowing ball is named "The Future of Pittsburgh," so when the midnight countdown happens it will be lifted to the top of a 74-foot flagpole instead of dropped. (There are enough problemlatic metaphors going on already without worrying about the "The Future" dropping.)

The ball was recently installed on the Highmark building, the old Horne's, above the landmark Christmas tree.

The ceremony will cap Pittsburgh's annual "First Night" party, an alcohol-free Downtown-wide party targeting families that includes music, fireworks, comedy acts and other activities.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.