LONDON, ENGLAND, December 21, 2011 (Press-News.org) Tens of thousands of spectators look on as celebrities spanning generations perform at the annual tree lighting event. This year's performers include Neil Diamond, Cee Lo Green, Carole King, American Idol songstress Katherine McPhee, and Canadian crooner Michael Buble. Tony Bennett and teen pop phenomenon Justin Bieber performed on video.
A crane and a specially-built trailer are called for once Rockefeller Center head gardener Erik Pauze locates the quintessential evergreen, which historically has been native to the eastern U.S. region. Pauze located this year's blue ribbon spruce in Pennsylvania in March, traveling back and forth from his duties at Rockefeller Center to ensure that the tree remained in perfect health until harvest time.
At the end of November, once a work crew has finessed the spruce into position overlooking the centre's outdoor skating arena, head electrician Charlie Cassely and crew string approximately 30,000 energy-saving LED coloured lights on wires that, end to end, stretch about 8 kilometres. Topping this incredible display is a glittering Swarovski crystal star that tips the scales at a whopping 250 kg.
Visitors to midtown Manhattan can view the towering tree and the surrounding city from the 70-storey Top of the Rock observation deck or from a table at one of 40 dining locations, cocktail bars and coffee shops in Rockefeller Center. Dozens of nearby specialty shops reflect the tree's sparkling glow of yuletide cheer. Most shoppers take a spin around the ice skating rink to complete their exciting and memorable Rockefeller Center tour.
When this year's Norway spruce has played out its time in the limelight, it will continue to preside over the spirit of giving. The tree will be milled into lumber to build homes for families in need through the Habitat for Humanity organization.
For those wishing to participate in the uniquely New York style celebrations, hotels and flights are available from Expedia, as well as a trip to the top of the Rockefeller building to experience the "View from the top of the Rock - visit Expedia Activities for more information.
About Expedia
Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travellers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travellers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com, hotels.com, Hotwire, Egencia (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel), TripAdvisor, Expedia Local Expert, Classic Vacations and eLong. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 70 global points of sale in more than 40 countries, with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).
With access to 140,000 hotels around the world (including boutique hotels as well as major hotel brand names),over 300 airlines along with specialist tools to help refine these choices, Expedia UK helps travellers to find and create the trip that best matches their individual requirements. Expedia is a registered trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the European Union and certain other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 2011 Expedia, Inc.
Contact details:
Jill Lloyd - Expedia UK
+44 2070192763
jlloyd@expedia.com
Lighting of the New York Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
An international yuletide tradition since 1933, this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a massive, 23 metre Norway spruce that will preside over the Big Apple's picturesque entertainment hub until January 6, 2012.
2011-12-21
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[Press-News.org] Lighting of the New York Rockefeller Center Christmas TreeAn international yuletide tradition since 1933, this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a massive, 23 metre Norway spruce that will preside over the Big Apple's picturesque entertainment hub until January 6, 2012.