KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City tradition that began with a single strand of lights over a building back in 1925 will return for its 88th year.
A large crowd will once again fill the streets of KC's famed Country Club Plaza Thanksgiving night for the annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony.
This is the 18th year that KCP&L has presented this time-honored Kansas City tradition.
“We look forward every year to being part of this community celebration that makes Thanksgiving in Kansas City so memorable,” said Chuck Caisley, KCP&L vice president of marketing and public affairs. “To see the Plaza glowing with the colors of the season is truly remarkable.”
Chiefs players to 'Flip the Switch'
Honorary guests this year include Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Derrick Johnson who will help "Flip the Switch" to kick off the holiday season.
"I know what the KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony means to Kansas City, and to be a part of it this year, with family, friends and teammates standing near, is very special," Johnson said in a news release.
Johnson has spent his entire career with the Chiefs. He's a four-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015) and was the recipient of the Derrick Thomas Award as the Chiefs Most Valuable Player in 2011. Johnson is involved in local charities and the Derrick Johnson's Defend the Dream Foundation, which provides low-income and inner-city youth with opportunities and resources to reach their full potential.
"I'm honored to have this opportunity," Smith said in the release. "This is a great Kansas City tradition. And my family and I couldn't be more excited to help light up the Plaza with the Kansas City community and kick off the start of the holiday season."
Smith is in his fifth year with the Chiefs. He participated in the 2017 Pro Bowl and was voted by teammates as a captain prior to the team's 2017 playoff game versus Pittsburgh. Smith also founded The Alex Smith Foundation to help foster teens achieve academic success.
Where to see the ceremony on the Plaza
The KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony takes place on Thanksgiving evening, Thursday, Nov. 23, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Country Club Plaza with the flip of the switch at 6:54 p.m. Once again a child will be selected at random from the crowd to help flip the switch.
"The KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony is one of Kansas City's finest traditions," said Meredith Keeler, general manager of the Country Club Plaza. "We take great pride in hosting such a beloved event and being a place where so many friends and families come to gather each year."
The ceremony's main stage is located on Nichols Road and Pennsylvania by Brio Tuscan Grille.
Among this year's performers are Country Pop Artist/Songwriter Casi Joy, who appeared on The Voice, Isaac Cates and Ordained, KC A Cappella, and Kansas City Celtic Group The Elders.
A firework display will take place immediately after the Flip of the Switch near the stage at Nichols and Pennsylvania, one block west of the stage at Nichols and Broadway and atop the InterContinental Hotel.
41 Action News Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak will again serve as emcee with 41 Action News anchors Rhiannon Ally and Mike Marusarz.
Parking and road closures for the ceremony
Several nearby garages will provide free parking.
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m., Nichols Road will be closed from Jefferson to Broadway.
Pennsylvania will be closed from the alleyway south of Panera to the alley north of O'Dowd's.
All access to garages will be open on Wednesday.
Starting the morning of Thursday, Nov. 23, Broadway will be closed from 47th Street to Ward Parkway.
Nichols Road will additionally be closed from Broadway to Central.
How to watch the KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony at home
Live TV coverage starts at 4 p.m. on 41 Action News, and you can watch the live stream of the ceremony from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. here on kshb.com. There will also be a KCP&L pre-show that will include give-a-ways and performances. New this year: KCP&L plans to hand out 4,000 light-up cheer sticks. They also plan additional exciting give-a-ways.
Local artist John Keeling created the watercolor artwork on the banners for this year's KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony. His work is currently featured on a holiday boxed card from Hallmark.
The team at Capital Electric spends months putting the lights up and checking each of the 280,000 bulbs used on the Plaza.
They begin in August. A total of 15 blocks are decorated with lights that line the buildings.
41 Action News will broadcast a half-hour special report, 'Behind-the-Scenes of the Plaza Lights' on Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The special report will dive into the history of the KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony as well as show viewers how the show is put together each year.
The KCP&L Plaza Lights will shine daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m through January 14.
The shops on the Plaza have extended hours during the holiday season.
