Vestal Tree Donors Looking Forward to Rockefeller Center Lighting

The excitement is continuing for the Vestal family whose Norway spruce was selected to be this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

The 80-foot-tall tree in the east end of the town attracted plenty of attention three weeks ago with the announcement it would soon be taken down and trucked to Manhattan for what has become a holiday season tradition.

This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Vestal on November 1, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The tree was donated by the McGinley family, who live near Binghamton University's main campus in Vestal.

Jackie McGinley told WNBF News on Tuesday morning that the experience "has been incredibly unimaginable but also really magical for our family and our community."

The famous tree the day before it started its journey to Rockefeller Center. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

McGinley said many people stopped by to take pictures with the tree and a crowd was on hand on the morning that it was removed to start its journey to New York City.

Even now, McGinley said, visitors check out the spot where the tree once stood.

Although some have estimated the tree was at least 80 years old, McGinley said neighbors believe it probably was about 50 years old.

McGinley, her husband and their children traveled to Rockefeller Center to be on hand when the tree arrived at its final destination on November 11.

Jackie and Matt McGinley, pose with their children Zooey and Charlie in front of the wrapped 80-foot tall, 12-ton Norway Spruce from Vestal on November 11, 2023. (Photo: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer)

McGinley said the family is looking forward to returning to Manhattan to attend the tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday evening.

The event will be televised live from 8 to 10 p.m. on NBC. The program will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson.

LISTEN: Jackie McGinley talked about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree during a live interview on WNBF Radio on November 28, 2023.

VIDEO: WNBF News returned to the spot where the special tree grew outside a Vestal residence.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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