Rockefeller Center Tree!

“NYC Holiday” Treat

It’s that time of year again! The Christmas spirit is in the air and last night it was time to light the Rockefeller Center tree! NYC is one of my favorite places to visit during the holidays and every time I get a chance to visit the city during the holidays- I just have to make time to see this famous tree!

According to the official website, “Traditionally, the chosen tree is decorated with 30,000 environmentally-friendly lights along five miles of wire and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The event, which runs from 7pm to 9pm, is taped live so that viewers all around the globe can participate in this beloved New York City holiday tradition…The Norway Spruce trees displayed each year in Rockefeller Center are required to be a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide, though they're preferred to be between 75-90 feet tall, by the event managers.”

History (from official website):

"The first Rockefeller tree lighting took place in 1931 when a bunch of construction workers decided to put up a tree in the RCA Building.  The first formal Christmas tree lighting was two years later and 700 lights were used for decoration.  In 1966 the first out-of-country tree was used when Canada donated a tree in celebration of the Centennial of its confederation. Because Norway Spruce trees aren't normally grown to the full preferred size, the ones used in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting usually come from someone's yard or another selected location, though property owners are not compensated with anything other than pride".

Here are some quick facts about the tree:

• The Rockefeller Center tree is recycled each once the holiday season is over and 3 tons of mulch are donated to the Boy Scouts of America.

• A large portion of the tree trunk each year is donated to the United States Equestrian Team in New Jersey to be used for obstacle jumping.

• This year’s tree is a Norway spruce harvested from Putnam County, N.Y., measures 74 feet. The tallest Rockefeller tree was 100 feet, in 1999.

I love December and the holidays! Now time for me to get back to decorating my tree! :)

 Sources: http://www.nyctourist.com/xmas_rockcenter1.htm, http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/30/5-facts-about-the-rockefeller-plaza-christmas-tree/,http://www.nycinsiderguide.com/Rockefeller-Center-Christmas-Tree.html#axzz1fIMKJp9F