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Crowds Brave Rain to See Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

By Ben Fractenberg | November 30, 2016 5:12pm | Updated on December 1, 2016 8:06am
 The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit up for the season on Nov. 30, 2016.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit up for the season on Nov. 30, 2016.
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Amy Langfield/DNAinfo

MIDTOWN — Crowds braved the rain to stake out a spot for the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Wednesday night.

Thousands of people lined the streets around the plaza to watch live performances from 7 to 9 p.m. by The Roots, Tony Bennett and Dolly Parton before the 94-foot tall Norway Spruce was lit up with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.

“I always wanted to see the tree lit. I’m so excited,” said Casey Turner, 37, who traveled from Alabama with her mother to watch the ceremony. “The tree itself is just amazing. It’s like when you go to Vegas — it’s so huge. A picture doesn’t do it justice.”

Sharon Turner(DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg)

The rains lasted through Wednesday night, but hundreds of people were already standing along the plaza by 3:30 p.m., guarding against the elements with ponchos and umbrellas.

“It only happens once a year,” said Daniel Siaumau, 21, who was visiting with his family from Arizona. “Standing in the rain is nothing for us.”