This year’s Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City made history as it comes from the first same-sex household and first Latina household. The Norway spruce stands 72-feet tall and was spotted by a Rockefeller Center scout at the home of Shirley Figueroa and her wife Lissette Gutierrez in Wallkill, NY reports the New York Times. Wallkill is located less than two hours north of NYC and it is the location Figueroa and Gutierrez chose to settle last year.
The couple, who are proudly Puerto Rican, are happy to be able to donate the tree since they are native New Yorkers. Figueroa is retired and grew up on a treeless street in the Bronx, so being able to make history with a tree that once stood on her property is extra special.
During the 86th annual tree lighting ceremony that included performances by Diana Ross, Billy Porter, Martina McBride, Tony Bennett, and Kellie Pickler, the couple watched the 50,000 LED lights with the rest of New York.
The tree will be on display until January 7, 2019 at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
If I remember correct, the
If I remember correct, the family that donate the tree is invited to light the tree. But not this time? That info about the couple that donated the tree this year was not revealed much. I wonder why.