Local Performers Ready To Entertain During Circle Of Lights

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Entertainers selected from statewide auditions are preparing for their Circle of Lights performances on Friday, Nov. 24 on Monument Circle. More than 100,000 spectators are expected for Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights, presented by IBEW #481. The ceremonial lighting and holiday kickoff festivities begin at 6 p.m. with the live televised show running from 7 p.m. 8 p.m. on WTHR-13.

Downtown Indy, Inc. reports 10-year-old Sonya Rees from Indianapolis is the lucky child chosen from the Carson's Coloring Contest to help "flip the switch" that lights the Monument Circle tree, with Santa and the Mayor.

Entertainers chosen from hundreds of statewide auditions will share the stage with four professional acts, providing an Indy “Holiday Sampler.” Performers include Sandi Patty from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's IPL Yuletide Celebration; Dance Kaleidoscope's Mariel Greenlee from World of Christmas; Broadway in Indianapolis' Ralphie from A Christmas Story and the cast from the Indiana Repertory Theatre's Lilly presents Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The chosen local entertainers are:

• The Tindley Collective - A show choir from Indianapolis' Tindley High School
• Butler University Dance Team
• New Image Gospel Choir - A student group from Anderson University

According to DII, several updates are being carried out by local and public officials as an effort to better address crowd control, security measures and spectator-experience enhancements.

RELATED: SAFETY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE CHANGES FOR CIRCLE OF LIGHTS

DII says these updates to the 55-year holiday event include moving the performance stage from the steps of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to the north spoke of Meridian Street (adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral).

In addition to the viewing area in front of the stage, DII says spectators can watch the evening's entertainment at three "viewing plazas" located around Monument Circle on large screens.

The Monument light-up will occur at approximately 7:55 p.m. Then, the Fireworks Finale presented by Salesforce will conclude the festive fun. After the Monument is lit, head to Carson's Department Store for free Selfies with Santa from 8 p.m. 10 p.m.

For more information, visit downtownindy.org.

Darron Cummings/Associated Press