By Alexander Espinosa
Staff Writer
It’s that time of the year again, a time where family, friends and loved ones come together to celebrate the holidays. What better way to ring in the holiday season then by witnessing the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the 77-foot Norway spruce will be lit for the first time this year. Located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, the tree will continue spreading holiday cheer until Jan. 17, 2020 when it will be donated to Habitat for Humanity for use as lumber.
The annual event got its start in 1931, during the height of the Great Depression. Demolition workers at the Rockefeller Center construction site put their money together in order to buy a small Christmas tree. Two years later Rockefeller Center decided to put up their own tree, officially beginning the Christmas tradition.
Students are excited to be able to experience the tree lighting in person.
“I am very excited to see the tree ceremony, I’ve never seen it in person because it’s always so crowded,” junior mathematics major, Charlotte Beshers, said. “I feel like it’s become a staple of American culture to see the lighting ceremony.”
Some students, such as sophomore game design major Matthew Lanza, feel that the lighting ceremony marks the beginning of the holiday season. “For me the lighting of the tree means that we can start celebrating Christmas properly, I always find it crazy how some people just try to start celebrating it as soon as possible,” he said.
The tree isn’t the only thing to get excited about. Some students are looking forward to see how the city changes for the holidays as well. “The city really captures the Christmas spirit with all the lights, it’s just so much fun to see how much the city changes during the season,” senior psychology major, Maddie Titus, said.
The tree lighting ceremony will also be broadcast on NBC on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. for anyone who wants to experience the event without being there in person
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