47th Annual Circle of Lights Festival: A holiday sight to be seen!
Published: Oct 20, 2009
One of Indianapolis' most treasured holiday traditions is fast approaching, and it's the 47th year. Circle of Lights, presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and IBEW 481 electrical workers will take place the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 27, at the downtown Monument Circle. More than 100,000 people are expected this year.
2009 will represent the 10th anniversary of an enhanced holiday decor that will adorn the Circle. Chosen by a community vote in 1999, the exhibit includes 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors surrounding the Circle, accompanied by 26 peppermint sticks. (The sailors were added in 2008.)
Additionally, 52 garland strands composed of 4,784 colored lights will be strung from the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument to its base, making it one of the largest holiday trees in the world. The array is complemented by 56,700 twinkling lights in trees that add shimmer to the area's walkways.
Live entertainment, chosen from statewide auditions and national acts, will begin at 6 p.m. with a televised program running from 7-8 p.m. The actual Monument lighting will occur at approximately 7:45 p.m. that Friday evening.
New stage decorations was used in 2007, including a Santa's Workshop theme complete with toy soldiers and sailors, peppermint sticks, ornaments, elves in the workshop and an abundance of toys from stick horses to blocks to trains. A countdown box will be featured at the center of the stage. Each year, one lucky child is chosen from a statewide coloring contest to help flip the lighting switch.
Millions of sightseers take in this brilliant spectacle throughout the holiday season until mid-January. The decoration of Monument Circle is one of Central Indiana's favorite holiday traditions, drawing generations of families each year to share in the spirit of the season. As the official presenting sponsors of Circle of Lights,
The Quality Connection represents more than 80 union contractors and more than 2,400 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 481 electrical workers. Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI) coordinates this event each year. IDI develops, manages and markets Downtown. For more information, call 317-237-2222 or visit the Indy Downtown web site.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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