Circle of Lights began with 'world's largest Christmas tree' 60 years ago
For 60 years, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers have gathered at Indianapolis' spiritual center to celebrate the holidays with a jaw-dropping light display.
It began, as many great traditions and marketing campaigns do, with an elaborate boast: The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was transformed into "the world's largest Christmas tree" in 1962. Years after dumping the tree gimmick in favor of an overall holiday theme, we now know it officially as The Downtown Indy Inc. Circle of Lights presented by IBEW 481.
As Circle of Lights enters its seventh decade, the idea remains largely the same: A massive volunteer effort, supported by the generosity of Indianapolis' businesses and philanthropists, with the primary goal of creating lasting memories through a free event.
And if those Hoosiers should happen to shop at the local businesses — well, that's even better.
Major events have sometimes altered the celebration, and the logistics and technology required for such a heavy lift are ever-changing. But year after year, organizers take careful steps to carry on a tradition etched in the minds of generations of central Indiana residents.
"Circle of Lights is a very important social driver in this community," said Max Wing, communications manager for organizer Downtown Indy Inc. "It has this huge nostalgia component, especially this year with it being the 60th anniversary. This is Indy's most time-honored holiday tradition."
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The first Indianapolis Circle of Lights
The monument was first transformed into "the world's largest Christmas tree" on Dec. 2, 1962. Mayor Albert H. Losche invoked Genesis with a simple "Let there be Light," the Indianapolis Star reported. The story shared the front page with news of a bombing along the Berlin Wall.
An estimated 10,000 people gathered in the cold, with traffic jams of several hours. Indiana Gov. Matthew E. Welsh sent Richard W. Guthrie, speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, on his behalf.
The idea had been discussed among the Downtown Promotion Committee of the Indianapolis Merchants Association and the Indianapolis Christmas Committee for about five years.
In March 1962, an engineering firm was hired to study whether decorating the Soldiers and Sailors Monument could cause any damage. After the Monument passed its physical, the project went out to bid, and the Hatfield Electric Company was selected as prime contractor with an overall budget of $30,000 (a little over $297,000 today when adjusted for inflation).
The Indianapolis Star reported the "tree" stood 246 feet tall, with a diameter of 110 feet. Fifty-two strings of 6,000 multi-colored lights hung from the "tree" at a total weight of 3,220 pounds. Organizers estimated the display could be seen from 20 miles away. Eight actual Christmas trees lined the Circle's exterior.
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Changes over the years to 'world's largest Christmas tree'
The "world's largest Christmas tree" idea was eventually canned in favor of highlighting the overall celebration, in part due to Kings Island amusement park in suburban Cincinnati snatching the title in the 1980s by converting its Eiffel Tower replica into a "tree."
Massive toy soldiers and sailors soon became regulars on the Circle. The businesses surrounding the display, and how they were decorated, regularly change, but the Monument remains the celebration's constant.
As the tradition grew, crowd estimates regularly exceeded 100,000. The day after Thanksgiving became the standard date for a launch party.
Local and national performers, including the Radio City Rockettes and Mickey Mouse, have played the opening day ceremonies over the years. Mickey once skated the basins around the Monument, which were previously turned into ice-skating rinks before the practice was ended due to the possibility of damage.
The entertainment once included 6-foot-8-inch Colts tight end Ben Utecht, who joined regular Circle of Lights performer Sandi Patty in 2007. Utecht went on to have a singing career after retiring from football.
In 2019, Downtown Indy Inc. received a $7 million grant from the Lilly Endowment that allowed for professional lighting and audio equipment be installed for year-round use on the Circle, Downtown Indy Inc. Vice President Bob Schultz explained.
IBEW has also modernized the breaker system over the years. Previously, volunteers had to flip a number of switches in coordination with the big, showy countdown. This would sometimes lead to technical difficulties.
"That was always my big nightmare scenario: You hit zero on the countdown and nothing happens and the crowd is waiting," Schultz said. "A seven-second delay feels like forever."
Historical moments
In rare cases, history also dictated change.
In 2001, red, white and blue lights adorned the tree in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Monument was designated a historic landmark in 2017, meaning setting up a stage on its steps was no longer possible.
In 2020, the lights were turned on, but Hoosiers were encouraged not to visit the area due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A TV special made up of pre-recorded performances replaced regular live programming.
Merry since 1900
Of course, Monument Circle has been the center of Indianapolis' Christmas celebrations for more than a century.
An early photograph, run several times in the Star over the years, shows the Soldiers and Sailors Monument decorated for a fall festival in 1900 — about 18 months before the Monument's official dedication.
A 1962 Indianapolis Star article noted this turn-of-the-century celebration included 7,000 lights, plaster entry arches and flags running from the top of the monument down to Circle buildings. Even Miss Indiana was partially wrapped in Christmas lights.
Decorated trees surrounded the Monument in December 1918 as part of a nationwide celebration following the end of World War I a month prior.
In 1923, the Indianapolis Star co-sponsored a citywide caroling celebration that brought 1,000 singers to the Circle. A similar effort in 1956 drew 2,500 singers.
The Circle was regularly decorated for Christmas in the '40s and '50s. Santa set up a warehouse, candy shop and even made his home in downtown Indianapolis for a time.
Circle of Lights at 60
This year, IBEW 481 volunteers used 52 garlands of 4,784 lights, which has been the standard light count for decades. Work started in October, when volunteer union members stretched the strands across the Indiana State Fairgrounds and pored over each bulb to make the necessary repairs.
The 2022 entertainment slate included Morgan Taylor, a Carmel native who competed on NBC's "The Voice," and a recorded performance from Kelly Clarkson.
Circle of Lights remains a boon to local businesses and museums — an intent of the annual event's organizers stretching back to the beginning.
But 60 years of tradition, and its accessibility as one of the last holiday celebrations that does not charge an admission fee, mean something more today and looking forward.
"The Monument Circle is the people's plaza," Schultz said. "It's where we celebrate, mourn or challenge each other … everyone is welcome at the Circle of Lights. It is truly a gift to the community."
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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Circle of Lights: 60 years of tradition
