Every Wednesday following Thanksgiving for the past 90 years, the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree has drawn people from all over the world to New York City.
Since 1997, the tree has been brought to the Rockefeller Center in mid-November. This year the tree was obtained from the town of Queensbury in upstate New York on November 12th. The official lighting ceremony occurred on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
The traffic restrictions and warnings began early on Wednesday at 11 am. With the various street closures and the barricades, it was almost impossible for motorists to make their way between the streets of 48th and 57th.
While this allows the tourists to access the streets of the massive 72-foot tree, residents and cab drivers seem to possess a different opinion on this closing of the roads.
According to ABC News, Mayor Eric Adams says the move is just what the city needs as it returns to normalcy post-pandemic. He states, "This is the kind of bold, creative thinking that we need to ensure the city's comeback is strong, equitable, and inclusive.”
The tree will be lit daily from 6 am to midnight until Christmas day, on which it will be lit for 24 hours. This year, the tree’s star holds three million Swarovski crystals, and it features more than fifty thousand LED lights.
The ceremony this year, according to the New York Post, featured various artists, including; Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Blake Shelton, the Rockettes, and so many others.
With these features, it’s no surprise that it draws people from around the world and stands as the centerpiece of New York’s Christmas experience. So as we begin to move past the pandemic and embrace our new normal, it’s nice to know that this ninety-year-long tradition will continue in its routine.
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