Lighting It Up At Rockefeller Center

Last night, the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center was lit, signaling the beginning of the mid-town holiday madhouse. The 71 foot (8 whole feet less than 2003) Norway spruce comes in at a hefty 9 tons and finds its way to New York City from Suffern, NY. The tree is topped by a star with 25,000 crystals, decorated with 30,000 lights, and tangled in five miles of wire. To watch the lighting, people at had to withstand temperatures in the 40s, singing by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, and Clay Aikin...a cost too high?

Of course, this leaves New Yorkers with a two options - go see the tree or avoid the area around Rockefeller Center like the plague. Those who work there are out of luck. For those that want to check out the tree, it will remain lit until January 6th from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM, all day Christmas, and 5:30 AM to 9 PM on New Year's Eve. For those visiting, it's on 5th Ave, in the 40s...and a big well lit tree. Can't miss it.

Photo by AP