Comments on: Politics and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

By: Karen Daniels

Karen Daniels — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:42:31 +0000

My brother and I were at the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center in either 1967 or 1968. We were around 5 and 7 years old. It was very beautiful to be a part of all the excitement and to see the lovely tree. I remember there was a pair of ice-skaters the show featured and then interviewed along with asking my younger brother and I questions during the television show. I don’t remember the skaters names nor do I remember who interviewed my brother and I. Does anyone have any answers? Back then, the show would have been live and there probably is not a tape of it, although if anyone knows if this can be obtained, please let me know. Any help would be truly appreciated.

By: Hershele Ostropoler

Hershele Ostropoler — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:12:53 +0000

Complaining about this being commercialized is a bit like complaining about the Macy's Thanksgiving parade being commercialized. If Swarovski hadn't sponsored the topper, would this whole thing be somehow purer?

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:37:50 +0000

Thanks Nickey. You’re right. Not sure what Time is illustrating with that picture. I took it out of the post.

By: Nickey Robo

Nickey Robo — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:14:34 +0000

I feel quite certain that picture above is NOT from 1971- the cars look much older and everyone is wearing hats (which was not so common by ’71, I believe). The Time caption doesn’t actually say the photo is from that year, either, simply that ’71 is the year the tree got turned into mulch.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:13:35 +0000

Woah.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:44:06 +0000

Last time I saw the tree was in 2007 when I was partying for New Years, but I’ve never been to a lighting ceremony. I’m over in Philly/Jersey and it always just seems like a hassle, all those people at the parades and stuff. (Even Times Square is trite, but hey, what can I say? I was bored.)

It’s a lot of electric, I can say that much!

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:38:18 +0000

I went to the tree lighting ceremony when I was about 9. I couldn’t see anything and burrowed into the crowd. When I looked up, there was no one I recognized.

After the lighting, none of which I could see, the crowd began to thin out, and someone asked a cop to help me.

“Can you put this little Negro girl on your shoulders so her family can see her above the crowd?”

I was so offended to be singled out and described that way that I refused. I didn’t find my family for two hours. But then the Rockefeller Center security guard got us a free ride to the Top of the Rock. Great view of the tree and New York City.

The End.