2013 Macy’s Great Tree Lighting

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving is a time for family. People get together with loved ones to spend time with each other. For thousands of people in the metro Atlanta area, the holiday also marks the beginning of the Christmas season. For 66 years, Macy’s at Lenox Square Mall lights their tree on Thanksgiving eve and thousands braved the cold weather to watch the show. This year was however a little different than the past 65. For one thing the tree is not placed on top of the building but beside the parking garage where the Pink Pig sits. You may also notice that the tree, for the first time, is also fake. The 56 foot tree was made in Alpharetta and is an attempt by Macy’s to go a little green. 45,000 lights adorn the tree which was turned on by Santa Claus and some special guests. The show was also a little earlier than in years past as well. Judith Hill, Brett Eldredge and Megan Hilty all gave Christmas song performances during the event which was capped off by a fireworks show.

Quentin Hathorn (left) sits in his mother Sharon's lap as they, his sister Desirae and cousin Mya Moore wait for the start of the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Quentin Hathorn (left) sits in his mother Sharon’s lap as they, his sister Desirae and cousin Mya Moore wait for the start of the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Jacob Lassiter (right) and his mother Rebecca are handed cups of hot chocolate by Torie Whitley during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Jacob Lassiter (right) and his mother Rebecca are handed cups of hot chocolate by Torie Whitley during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Lexy Gilbert (center) gets help fixing her hair from Emily Whitton (left) and Kayla McElreath during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Lexy Gilbert (center) gets help fixing her hair from Emily Whitton (left) and Kayla McElreath during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Ethan Russell (center) smiles in the crowd during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Ethan Russell (center) smiles in the crowd during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Willie Buckland (left) looks over at his wife Norma during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Willie Buckland (left) looks over at his wife Norma during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Radio personality Cadillac Jack speaks on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Radio personality Cadillac Jack speaks on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Alex Garland (center) performs on stage with the Macy's Magical Stars during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Alex Garland (center) performs on stage with the Macy’s Magical Stars during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Dr. Vince Cocca (left) holds his daughter Capri as confetti falls from the sky during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Dr. Vince Cocca (left) holds his daughter Capri as confetti falls from the sky during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Kaitlyn Lee (center) watches the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Kaitlyn Lee (center) watches the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Megan Hilty performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Megan Hilty performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Brett Eldredge performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Judith Hill performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Mindy Spiva (right) performs on stage with the Sarah Smith Elementary School Chorus during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Mindy Spiva (right) performs on stage with the Sarah Smith Elementary School Chorus during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Santa Claus makes an appearance during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Santa Claus makes an appearance during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Madelyn Lewis sits on her father Hugh's shoulders to get a better view during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Madelyn Lewis sits on her father Hugh’s shoulders to get a better view during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

The Macy's All Star Holiday Choir performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

The Macy’s All Star Holiday Choir performs on stage during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed (left), Lailah Stoudenmire, Jake Russell and Santa prepare to throw the switch for the Christmas tree during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed (left), Lailah Stoudenmire, Jake Russell and Santa prepare to throw the switch for the Christmas tree during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

Charlotte Cleaver (right) looks around during the fireworks display at the end of the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Charlotte Cleaver (right) looks around during the fireworks display at the end of the 66th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

 

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