Rockefeller Christmas tree lights go ON! Thousands turn out, and BOO de Blasio as he hits the button

Rockefeller Christmas tree lights go ON! Thousands turn out (and BOO) de Blasio as he hits the button after performances by Diana Ross, John Legend and Tony Bennett to kick off holiday season

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio flipped the switch Wednesday to light the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The lighting followed a televised extravaganza that featured performances by Diana Ross and Tony Bennett
The 72-foot tree is decorated with 5 miles of multicolored LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star
The festive spirit was momentarily interrupted when de Blasio was booed by some in the crowd when his name was called out so he could flip the switch
The 75-year-old tree was donated by a couple in Wallkill, roughly 60 miles north of the city
It will remain on display until January 7 before it will be given to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes.

The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lights have now been turned on as part of the longstanding tradition that ushers in Christmas time in New York City.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio flipped the switch on Wednesday night to light the Christmas Tree following a televised extravaganza that featured performances by Diana Ross and Tony Bennett.

The 72-foot-tall tree is decorated with 5 miles of multicolored LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star.

Rockefeller Center has hosted the annual ceremony since 1931.

The festive spirit was momentarily tarnished when Mayo Bill de Blasio's name was called out so he could flip the switch. He was booed as he stood on stage by Jerry Speyer and his son Rob, who are the chairman and CEO of Tishman Speyer

Although de Blasio handily won re-election last year, his popularity has been dropping in recent months against the backdrop of newspaper headlines about alleged corruption in his administration.
The crowd jeering at de Blasio during the lighting quickly sent social media into a frenzy.

RE: I guess they don’t like him anymore.

Regardless. They continue voting for him ( or I should say, 78% of New Yorkers don’t care who the Mayor is as these large number of eligible voters did not bother to vote in the last two mayoral elections ).

“A 900 # crustal ornament topping the tree.”

I had the same thought. Obviously there’s a steel pole going up the middle of the tree.

Notice all of the blue illumination? Bright blue LEDs have transformed stage lighting.

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