NYC Rockefeller Center tree lit as thousands watch

[December 01, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg has officially kicked off the holiday season in New York City, lighting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree amid thousands of revelers crowding the area.

Bloomberg helped turn on the 30,000 energy-efficient lights dressing the tree Tuesday night.

The lighting show featured live performances by Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, British singer Katherine Jenkins and teen pop star Charice.

The event took place less than a week after the arrest of a 19-year-old Somali-American man charged in an alleged plot to blow up a car bomb at a hristmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Ore.

New York police blocked off streets and searching bags. They also urged people to use mass transit instead of cars to get there.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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NEW YORK (AP) -- The signs of Christmas are hard to miss around New York City's Rockefeller Center.

On Tuesday night, crowds will gather for a ceremony to light the 74-foot Norway spruce there. It ushers in a bustling season full of wonderment for tourists and exasperation for workers in the area.

Vanessa Ortiz says she uses a "bobbing and weaving" technique to cut through the crowds.

The lighting ceremony will feature live performances by Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Jessica Simpson, British singer Katherine Jenkins and teen pop star Charice.

This year's tree was donated by Peter and Stephanie Acton of Mahopac, N.Y.

[Associated Press; By CRISTIAN SALAZAR]

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