2008 Circle of Lights Festival in Indianapolis

Monument Circle in Indianapolis will once again light up during the Circle of Lights Festival, presented by Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481. This 46 year tradition occurs Friday, November 28 - the day after Thanksgiving. Live entertainment on the Circle will begin at 6:00pm. For those who wish to stay home, the televised show will start at 7:00pm. The lights turned on at 7:45pm.

This annual Indy tradition involves 52 strands of garland with 4784 lights strung from the top of the monument to its base, to create the largest Christmas "tree" in the state. The Circle of Lights is completed by the over 56,000 lights added to the trees around Monument Circle. This year, new decorations have also been added to the circle. Twenty-six huge toy soldiers and sailors, along with 26 peppermint sticks, stand to honor the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The Circle of Lights is free, and more than 100,000 Hoosiers are expected to attend.

Each year, a statewide coloring contest determines one lucky child to help flip the switch that lights up Monument Circle. Any child under 12 can participate in the contest, which runs from November 6 - November 19. The winner is announced November 24, when the child receives a Circle of Lights presented by Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 gift, their original coloring sheet, a photo with Santa on the stage, and a VIP reception invitation for up to four people. And of course, he or she gets to turn on the lights Friday night. Contestants picked up their coloring sheets from Quality Connection contractor offices, printed them from www.qc-indy.com, or found it in the Indianapolis Star. All coloring sheets had to be turned in by 3pm on November 19.

The Circle of Lights is a true Indiana tradition, and a great way to kick off your holiday season. If you plan to attend, arrive early to find a parking spot, and make reservations for dinner. Also, keep an eye on any little ones you might take with you. The Circle is packed for this event, and it is easy to get separated in the crowd. With very young ones, it might be best just to watch the event on TV. I remember going when I was small, and all my little brother got to see was the belt buckles of the people packed around us. Regardless, the Circle of Lights is a great time to come out and celebrate being a Hoosier and the coming holidays, with family and friends.