NYC - Rockefeller
Christmas and Tree - New York City
From 2009 Here are a couple of photos taken by a friend who was kind enough to share her experience with us. Thank you A.N. ! Must've been quite something to see them hauling this away.
Below are New Yorkled's top 20 faved Christmas Photos
from past years as posted on Flickr
'And here is a pic of a previous year's (2006) tree. All 88 feet of it is a heck of alot better looking than trees in previous years. It's so nicely rounded and full. Yup! All 9 tons of it with width of 45 feet!
Below is a
2005 photo of the 74 foot Spruce from Wayne, NJ.
All 9 tons of it was quite the beaut!
Here's a 2004 photo
of the tree at Rockefeller Center on the evening following the
grand lighting in NYC.
Here is the 2003
Rockefeller Christmas Tree on the day after it was lit, December
4th, 2003.
2002 Photo of the
Christmas Tree at Rockefeller
Here is the 2002, 75 year old, 76 foot, 7 ton, 43-foot wide
tree which was brought in from Carmine and Mary Rizzo’s
property in Bloomsbury, N.J.
Below is the 2001
Tree at Rockefeller Center
Some Historical Milestones:
1931 - Workmen on a muddy construction site put up the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. At the time of the Depression, the workmen placed the tree amidst the construction, proud to have the tree on the site of their jobs.
1933 - First formal Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony. The tree was decked with 700 lights in front of the eight-month-old RCA Building.
1936 - Two trees, each 70 feet (21.3 m) tall, were erected. For the first time the Lighting Ceremony included a skating pageant on the newly opened Rockefeller Plaza Outdoor Ice Skating Pond.
1942 - Three trees were placed on Rockefeller Plaza, one decorated in red, one in white and one in blue to show support for our troops serving during World War II.
1949 - The tree was painted silver, to look like snow.
1951 – The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit for the first time on national television on the Kate Smith Show.
1966 - The first tree from outside the United States was erected. It was given by Canada, in honor of the Centennial of its Confederation. This is the farthest distance a tree has traveled to Rockefeller Center.
1980 - For the 50th Anniversary of Tree Lighting, a 70 foot-tall (21.3 m) Norway Spruce came from the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Seminary of Mahwah, N.J. Bob Hope participated in the Lighting.
1999 – The largest tree in Rockefeller Center history, 100 feet tall (30.5 m), came from Killingworth, Conn.
2004 – The Swarovski-designed star became the largest star to ever grace the tree.
2007 – For the first time, the tree was lit with 30,000 energy-efficient LEDs. They draw a fraction of the power that had been traditionally required by the tree, reducing energy consumption from 3,510 kwH to 1,297 kwH per day, saving as much energy as a single family would use in a month in a 2,000 square foot (185.8 m²) home. Hundreds of solar panels atop one of the Rockefeller Center buildings help power the new LEDs.
The Tree Will Remain Lit until January 6
~~~~~~~
38th Annual Merry Tuba Christmas
FREE TO ALL!!!!
The Rink at Rockefeller Center on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:30 pm to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. The tubists of all ages will line up under the great Christmas tree and fill the area with the organ-line sound of low brass. Spectators will be encouraged to become an important part of the concert by singing along with the Christmas carols and famous songs.
Recruited from throughout the greater New York City area, the musicians will be conducted by Chris Wilhjelm, conductor of the famous Goldman band. Conceived by tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips to honor his teacher, the late William J. Bell (Born Christmas Day, 1902), the first Tuba Christmas was presented at Rockefeller Center in 1974, conducted by Paul LaValle, of Band of America fame. This unusual Christmas tradition is firmly established in over 200 cities around the world.
~~~~~~
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe.
The Christmas Tree will be illuminated each day from 5:30 am - 11:30 pm; all day (24 hours) on Christmas; and from 5:30 am – 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. The last day to view the tree is January 7, 2012. For more information or event details, please visit www.rockefellercenter.com
A 75 Foot Tall Spruce from Mifflinville, Pennsylvania is this year's chosen tree.
It'll be the first time that a tree had been selected from that state to become the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
The 46 foot wide tree had been cut on Wednesday, November 9 and was hoisted by crane onto a 115 foot trailer on which it was driven to NYC for a Friday, November 11 morning arrival.
THE KELLER/CRAWFORD FAMILY, MIFFLINVILLE, PA
Being a military wife, Nancy Keller has lived all over the United States – from Alabama to Alaska – but Mifflinville, Pennsylvania has always been home. It is here, where she grew up, went to high school and met her late husband, Doyle Keller, that she and three more generations of her family have made a home.
Doyle served stateside in the United States Air Force for 20 years. His years in the military brought a number of moves for him, Nancy and their daughter, Debra Keller. In 1969, right before Debra started her junior year of high school, Nancy and Debra returned to Mifflinville and were soon followed by Doyle when he retired in 1970.
Since their return to Mifflinville 42 years ago, the Kellers have added two more generations to the family tree. Debra’s two sons, Billy and Mitch Crawford, 39 and 21 years old respectively, both live within minutes of Mifflinville. Billy and wife Keri Crawford have two daughters, Olivia and Emma, 11 and 8 years old respectively.
When Nancy and Doyle moved onto the property where the tree resides in 1985, Doyle wanted nothing to do with the massive tree situated next to the house and even suggested cutting it down. It took some convincing by the family, but with the help of some trimming, a little love and some very tall ladders Doyle was won over and the tree became a part of the landscape that everyone enjoyed.
“I had poked around the website to see how to nominate our tree but never filled out the application,” said Debra who now lives in the house next door to her mom in Mifflinville. “You can imagine our surprise when we got a knock on the door from Rockefeller Center’s head gardener.”
This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrived at Rockefeller Plaza on November 11, Veteran’s Day, which seems just right to Nancy. “Doyle’s time in the Air Force and his being a veteran was a big part of who he was – who our family is. I know he would have enjoyed all of the enthusiasm around our tree being chosen and would have really enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren so excited.”
The tree was first spotted by the Rockefeller Center team during a routine drive down I-80. Rockefeller Center’s head gardener saw the tree out of the corner of his eye from the driver’s seat. Even from hundreds of yards away the 74- foot tall Norway Spruce made quite an impression.
As a Christmas present every year Debra takes her granddaughters to New York City. The trip is full of holiday traditions – they go to a show, have lunch at the girls’ favorite restaurants, and shop at their favorite stores. The highlight of the annual vacation is always the visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which this year will be their own.
“To be honest it won’t be sad to see the tree go,” Debra said. “We just feel honored that the tree was chosen and will be enjoyed by so many people when it’s sitting in the middle of Rockefeller Center.”
Christmas Tree Lighting
& Ice Show Wednesday, November 30, 2011
beginning at 7:00 pm Don't forget, if you plan to be there
then show up plenty early since the crowds will be phenomenal.
Hosting will be
Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie
Celebrities to be featured this year:
Through Live and taped performances at the star-studded tree lighting celebration:
Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Cee Lo Green, Faith Hill, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, Javier Colon, Megan Hill & Others.
The tree is to be illuminated from 5:30 am – 11:30 pm daily, all day (24 hours) on Christmas Day and 5:30 am - 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. The world’s most famous tree will be on display until early January, 2012. For more information, the public can call 212-632-3975.
THE FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION FROM a previous YEAR (2004) SO'S
TO GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEA
AS TO WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR
(2009)
As with all other public events in NYC, the crowd forms awfully
early, so if you plan to be there then you know what to do
since the crowd will of course be huge. The tree will remain
lit until early January 8, 2007. Enjoy!
Where else on earth will thousands and thousands gather for
the lighting a single tree? NYC's Rockefeller Center, that's
where! Join in this fantastic event which is televised nationwide
and perhaps even across the seas. Entertainment, Singing,
and yes, our Mayor too! The tallest tree so far was the 100-foot
Norway Spruce from Killingworth, Conn. in 1948. Maybe this
year's will be taller? Over 25,000 lightbulbs are used to
light the tree. Amazing huh? They span a distance of over
5 miles.
The event which is televised nationwide and has local Television
Stars amongst others. The Mayor himself would often take part
in this yearly tradition.
Below
is a quick video of the 2005 Christmas Tree at Rockefeller
Center.
"Past
News"
2004 Christmas Tree for Rockefeller
Center had been selected!
A 71-foot tall, 40-foot wide, 9-ton tree
was set to be cut down, hoisted onto a trailer and taken
to Rockefeller Center this Tuesday, November 9th to become
the 2004 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Once again, a Norway spruce has been selected
and will be transported from the home of Christine Gabrielibes
and Demos Kontos in Suffern, Rockland County, NY
The tree was erected on Thursday, November
11th, 2004. 'with decorations to come in the weeks ahead.
Stay tuned and glance below for events taking place at
Rockefeller as well as New Yorkled's own way of describing
Christmas in this part of Town.
Christmas at Rockefeller
notes from 2003
Aaaaaah!
The grand Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. The tree-lighting
celebration began humbly in 1931. Depression-era workmen building
Rockefeller Center placed a small, unadorned evergreen on
the muddy site to lift their Christmas spirits. Two years
later, another tree was erected, this time decked out in 700
lights. Today well over 25,000 lights adorn the tree!
I read some place how Rockefeller Center is considered as
America's Unofficial Christmas Capital. Funny thing is, I
can't think of a better way to describe what this spot is
during the latter part of the year!
It's here within that the great six story tree goes up as
skaters glide along down below. It's within this area that
ornaments the size of small automobiles are placed just outside
of buildings and well, there's a spot or two where you'll
catch one hanging just above the streets. Literally! It's
within this part of town and elsewhere that you'll see the
city come alive at night with magnificent displays of yuletide
greetings! 'not that the city ever slept at all.
So come hither and rejoice in what's to be found here. The
tree which is usually a Spruce and guaranteed to be older
than your average grandpa can be found just above Rockefeller's
skating rink. As beautiful during the day time as it is at
night! So bring your cameras one and all. Check out those
department store decorations, gander at the corner Santas
collecting money for charity and join hands in what 2004 yours
truly believes will be the Christmas to end all Christmases.
Okay, ok, so I'm exaggerating and said the same last year!
Sue me! hehe. Go forth and be merry! I SAID BE MERRY DARN
IT! ~hehehehehe~
2003
Christmas Tree in Rockefeller
Commentary below
Ok, boys and girls, can you say Perky? uhuh, I said PERKY! That's
how I felt about our newest tree erected at Rockefeller Center today
on November 13th, 2003.
The Manchester, Connecticut Katkauskas family's 50 year old, 79-foot-Norway
spruce was cut only two days ago. It came to New York City's Rockefeller
Center via Truck and Barge and is in my opinion a heck of alot more
upright than previous years' trees.
Oh yeah! I remember viewing the tree from last year and the year
before and thinking to myself, "Gee, it droops!" hehehehe,
well, this year 'Perk' is in and 'Droop' is out! As soon as the
tree is lit, New Yorkled will of course bring you newer photos.
Actually, more might be added to this one since this photo was taken
in the midst of one of NYC's worst wind storms of 2003 and on an
extremely cloudy day.
Prometheus Statue and two skaters gliding
along the ice
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