Circle Of Lights

For more than half a century, thousands of Hoosiers have braved the cold on Friday night after Thanksgiving to enjoy a beloved holiday tradition – the lighting of almost 5,000 colored lights strung from the 284-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Another 60,000 twinkling lights in trees add shimmer to the scene along with larger-than-life toy soldiers and peppermint sticks circling the monument. The show stage features a Santa's Workshop complete with elves working and an abundance of toys. Each year a local child is picked from a coloring contest to help" flip the switch" with Santa and the mayor. Live entertainment adds to the festivities featuring entertainers chosen from statewide auditions. The tree lighting takes place shortly after 7:30 p.m. but entertainment starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks illuminate the sky after the lighting. Circle of Lights is presented free by Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481.