Happy New Year, Toad and Toadette

On a beautiful New Year's Eve in Mushroom City, Toad and Toadette are having fun while waiting for the Jumbo Star to rise on the pole. Toad smiled at her and said, "Well Toadette, this is it. The year is almost over and when that star goes up, it will be 2023!"

"I know, Toad," Toadette replied with a smile, "It has been a great year for all of us here and after all, a brand new year means a new beginning. I love to spend the night with you."

"Me too. We had a great time this year and pretty soon, we'll have new adventures! So, when will the star rise?"

"In about four minutes," Toadette said as the timer shows the final four minutes of 2022 on the screen.

Everyone in the city is waiting patiently for the star as Toadsworth came on stage with a smile. He said, "Good evening, everyone! I hope you're ready to ring in the new year with the famous Star Rise, right?"

The city agreed with him as they are cheering with excitement.

"That is what I like to hear and before we do that, I would like to thank all of you for your amazing support during this year. It has been a wild ride for us and I hope that 2023 will bring peace and happiness to everyone in this beloved kingdom and around the world. Now then, are you ready for the big moment?"

The square is cheering very loudly as the clock shows the final two minutes of the year. Toadsworth smiled at the cheering crowd and said, "All right, then! Can I have Toad and Toadette to come on stage, please?"

Toad and Toadette smiled as they came to the big stage for the Star Rise and waiting for them is the big red button. Toadsworth looked at the duo and with a nod, he signals for them to start the ceremony.

Toad smiled at her and said, "Ready to raise the star and say goodbye to this year?"

"You know it," Toadette replied with a thumbs up before placing their hands on the button.

Toad and Toadette looked at the timer, took a deep breath and then...

The moment came.

PUSH!

As soon as the button is pressed, the Jumbo Star starts to rise with red fireworks going off as the screen shows the final sixty-second countdown with the crowd cheering for this moment.

It was an amazing sight to see as the Star continues to go up every second.

"45 seconds left!" Toad announced as the fireworks turn orange to start the second quarter, "So far, so good!"

While the Star is moving up the pole, all over the city is cheering with joy as 2022 draws to a close.

"Thirty seconds," Toadette said as the Jumbo Star is at the halfway point with yellow fireworks exploding in the background, "We're halfway there, folks!"

Pretty soon, the entire city is cheering louder than ever as the Star is just moments away from reaching the top of the pole.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for is finally here," Toad and Toadette announced, "It is officially time for the final countdown! Mushroom Kingdom... ARE YOU READY?"

The crowd agreed with them as the fireworks turned white and the Jumbo Star is flashing bright yellow, signaling the final ten seconds of the year.

Here it comes, Toad and Toadette thought.

Everyone braced themselves, took a deep breath and then...

It is time.

"10!"

"9!"

"8!"

"7!"

"6!"

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

BUZZ!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

With the words shouted by everyone, the buzzer went off as the Jumbo Star reached the top of the pole with a bright yellow glow along with the 2023 sign all lit up to make it official. The confetti cannons fired and it released a lot of tinsel on everyone as the entire Mushroom Kingdom welcomed the New Year with fireworks lighting up the city in style.

Toad and Toadette looked at the beautiful sight and shared a nice kiss together as the national anthem of the kingdom starts to play with the crowd cheering very loudly for this exciting moment.

When they are done with the kiss, Toad said, "Happy New Year, Toadette."

"Same to you, Toad," Toadette replied with a smile.

"You know, I think this will be a great year for the both of us and it all starts right now."

"I agree with you 100%!"

Then they turned to the readers and said, "Happy New Year, everyone!"

And so begins another great year in the Mushroom Kingdom.