It’s Treetime!

Between the hours of seven and ten this evening, avoid Rockefeller Plaza like the plague....unless, that is, you happen to love Al Roker, Taylor Swift (pictured), Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Josh Groban. And did I mention Barry Manilow? These celebs and throngs of bundled-up admirers will be on hand for the lighting of the 2007 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Instead, I recommend seeing the 84-foot tall Norway Spruce between 11 and 11:30 p.m., when the large crowd will have dispersed, leaving a sizable but manageable assemblage in its place. However, if you still want to hear Barry and company live, tune in to WNBC, Channel 4. And if you want a clue as to the first words that will come out of Al Roker's mouth, see the photo below. The lights go on at 8:58 p.m. Barring that, the tree will be on display through January 6 and is illuminated from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day, so you've got plenty of time. %%showphotos [setid=72157603319822832]%%