LINCOLN SQUARE — The countdown began as usual, with news anchor Sade Baderinwa leading a live broadcast onstage surrounded by musicians and local leaders while hundreds of onlookers waited for the big reveal — the lighting a 27-foot Douglas Fir to mark the start of the holiday season.
Except this year, the lights didn't turn on to a burst of applause from those gathered at the neighborhood's 16th annual Winter's Eve festival. And Baderinwa, who was leading a live broadcast of the event, was left ad-libbing as the tree remained dark and the minutes passed.
"We're waiting and waiting," she said, then joked, "light up this tree with your cellphone."
The headliners, Tom Chapin, the Chapin Sisters and other Chapin family members, played on, singing songs from the Chapin Sisters' new album and old classics by their brother, Harry.
"Is this tree going to light?" wondered an audience member, as the Chapins moved through several songs and the tree remained dark.
A spokeswoman for the Lincoln Square BID, which hosts the festival, said they believe the generator malfunctioned, noting this has never happened in the history of the event.
"Let's hear it for the tree," said Abigail Chapin when the lights suddenly came on mid-song.
Later, the BID re-did the countdown so they could have it on video.
Despite the hiccup, the night continued as planned with live performances, kids' activities and dozens of food vendors scattered along Broadway between West 59th 68th streets.
The relatively balmy temperatures and lack of rain or snow led to a strong turnout, with hundreds of families, adults and young people thronging the avenue.
The tree snafu "was funny. Nothing is perfect," said Shabeg Singh, 21, who came from Long Island for the festival.
The Chapins' music "was amazing," and Singh was impressed by the range of tunes, from traditional carolers to folk and klezmer music, he said.
"Look at the excitement. I'm so thrilled to be here," said Shabeg's older brother, Dave Singh, 28.
He gave a good review to the pizza from Grand Daisy Bakery, the guacamole and chips from Rosa Mexicano and the hamburger from P.J. Clarke's.
"Everywhere there's something to look at," added Alexandra Pospelova, 22, from Queens, who attended the festival for the first time.