This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
What says the holiday season more than Santa Claus, Kurt "Kringle" Bestor and Mayor Ralph "Jingle Bells" Becker coming together to turn on the LED lights downtown?
The holidays will officially begin Friday, Nov. 25, when the trio flips the switch at Gallivan Plaza, 239 S. State St., at about 5:25 p.m. — official sunset. The switch will illuminate 19 miles of LED lights (a million LEDs from Temple Square to The Gateway and south to Gallivan!). The city says all the energy usage for this season is offset by wind power, thanks to the Blue Sky program.
U.S. Olympic short track speed skaterAlison Baver, a band of elves on stilts and a kids choir kick off the celebration at 4:45 p.m., while Kurt Bestor, himself, will begin playing immediately after the lights are on.
Meanwhile, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, renown for its spectacular displays on Temple Square, will light up for the holidays at about 5 p.m. Friday, leaving all the fanfare to the lights themselves.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, Temple Square's Christmas celebrations will begin at noon, with children and adult choirs and musical ensembles performing through the day.