ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> STORY: An estimated half a million people flocked to Rockefeller Center to see the 79th annual tree lighting ceremony in New York on Wednesday (November 30).<br/> The 74-foot tall tree was gifted by a Mifflinville, Pennsylvania family who said they always knew their tree was Rockefeller Center worthy.<br/> "We've talked about it for many, many years. Even last year - I bring my granddaughters in every year for their Christmas present, we see a show, we do shopping, we do lunch and we always end up at Rockefeller Center and we've always talked about this tree. And last year I even googled to try and find out how to submit the tree, gave up because I couldn't find how to submit it and three months later Eric (Head Gardner for NBC) knocked on our door and the rest, they say, is history," explained Debra Keller.<br/> The approximately 75-year-old Norway Spruce is decorated with 30,000 energy LED lights and capped off with a newly enhanced Swarovski crystal star.<br/> Helping celebrate the so-called official start to the holiday season in New York, were performers Cee Lo Green, Javier Colon and Carole King with her daughter Louise Goffin.<br/> Canadian singer Michael Buble performed a variety of Christmas classics, including his favorite, "I'll Be Home For Christmas."<br/> Justin Bieber, Tony Bennett, Usher and Neil Diamond also lent their voices for the ceremony via earlier taped performances.<br/> Visitors will be able to view the tree until January 7, 2012.
