NEW YORK (AP) The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was set aglow with 30,000 colored lights Nov. 29, officially kicking off the holiday season in the city.

With temperatures in the high 50s, thousands of people packed the midtown Manhattan plaza for the festivities, which were hosted by the “Today” show’s Al Roker and Ann Curry.

Singers Martina McBride, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Sting and Bette Midler were among those who performed during the two-hour event, part of which was televised nationally on NBC.

Also on hand were Mayor Michael Bloomberg, singer Lionel Richie and NBC’s “30 Rock” stars Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey.

Christmas tree admirers came from as far away as Florida, California, Germany and Norway.

“It’s just such an experience being here with everyone,” said Sarah Shott, who traveled with her mother from Tresckow, Pa., by bus to watch the ceremony for the first time.

The 9-ton tree, which came from the Ridgefield, Conn., property of Rob Kinnaird, is topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The tree will remain in place until Jan. 8.

For the 14th consecutive year, New York City’s Bay Crane Service Inc. hoisted the tree into place.

Bay Crane was founded in 1939 in New York and remains a family-owned company. The company specializes in transportation and logistics planning for the implementation of heavy hauling solutions in New York.

This story also appears on Crane Equipment Guide.

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