Having lived in Indianapolis for most of my life, I guess I’ve generally taken the festive holiday décor magnificently displayed throughout the Circle City’s downtown area for granted. After all, to say I’ve seen it more than once or twice in all the years I’ve been a Hoosier would certainly be an understatement.

However, in recent times, as I’ve matured and become somewhat seasoned in my experiences, and after having listened to my father tell me I should pay more attention to historically-relevant things of this nature for 35+ years or so, I’ve finally begun to gain a more in-depth appreciation for the beauty that illuminates the heart of downtown Indianapolis from November through early January each year. Truth be told, Monument Circle, a drivable business-filled area that literally encircles the city’s famed Soldiers and Sailors Monument, is a holiday spectacle worth experiencing.

Now back in the day, when I was growing up (picture me reminiscing while sitting in a rocking chair next to a crackling fire with a hand-crafted blanket carefully spread over my slightly-chilled legs), multiple trips to the Indianapolis downtown area weren’t at all uncommon during the holiday season. One visit might have been to simply drive around “The Circle” a few times in order to observe the lighting display while a second trip may have been to ice skate. Believe it or not, officials used to construct a temporary ice rink at the base of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. It was small, cold and generally crowded but always a lot of fun, no matter how much time I spend on my backside. Yet another trip downtown could have been for the sole purpose of walking the streets near and around Monument Circle while observing the intricate store-front displays that shops in the area often created in their respective picture windows.

By the time I was in high school (ah yes, the good ole days), it was considered to be a big deal for school choirs to come down town during the month of December in order to take a turn at performing a festive series of holiday-themed tunes from a temporarily-constructed shelter. Yes, I did that too, although I never was much of a vocalist. I was the carefree percussionist (drummer) who sat back, relaxed and just kept a straight beat on the skins while my fellow students did all the work.

Things are a tad different these days, although I still like to sit back and let others do the work, no matter the task at hand, whenever possible. However, I can sincerely assure you that what is now referred to as the Circle of Lights in downtown Indianapolis is an even more breathtaking experience than when I was a lad. Overall, this is the 47th year for one of downtown Indianapolis’ most beloved holiday traditions and 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of what city officials describe as an initial effort to update and enhance the holiday décor around monument circle. Visitors to the area will undoubtedly note 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors that surround the Circle, along with 26 peppermint sticks (no, they’re not real so don’t try to lick them). Additionally, 52 garland strands with 4,784 colored lights are strung from the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument to its base and the atmosphere is appropriately completed with 56,700 twinkle lights carefully strung in trees around the area’s walkway.

The official lighting of the display traditionally takes place the day after Thanksgiving as Monument Circle is filled with people eagerly awaiting the flip of a single light switch that will ultimately illuminate the area and mark the beginning of the seasonal celebration. The one-of-a-kind display is something worth experiencing by foot as well as by automobile.

Fun facts about the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis:
1. Standing 284.5 feet, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is approximately 22 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.
2. The Monument is the largest in the nation to be dedicated to the common soldier.
3. “Victory,” also called “Miss Indiana” by Hoosiers, is the 38-foot tall bronze figure atop the statue.  She faces south to welcome soldiers returning from battle.
4. The stone sculptures were the work of Rudolf Schwarz, an Austrian sculptor. The sculpted soldiers had full beards, but were thought to look “too German” so Schwarz chipped away at the limestone faces to shave the beards.
5. The Monument, made of Indiana limestone from Terre Haute Stone Company quarries, took nearly 12 years to construct.  
6. Building costs at the turn of the 20th century totaled $598,318. Building a similar structure in 2005 would have cost more than $13 million. 
7. The groups of statues on the Monument’s east face represent “War” and “The Dying Soldier” with “Peace” and “The Return Home” on the west face.
8. The four corners of the Monument represent different methods of military warfare:  Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Navy.
9. The cornerstone of the Monument contains a large box with miscellaneous items including a list of all the soldiers from Indiana who fought for the Union, a photograph of the Monument’s German architect, Bruno Schmitz and a civil war era battle flag. 
10. The Circle of Lights, presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481, began in 1962.  From the very beginning, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 481 electricians have volunteered to install the lights.

See you there!

Sources: The Indianapolis Star, IUPUI Library, Indiana War Memorials website