Decorating the Tree

Waiting between buses to go swimming, I found the volunteers from 

the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 

had begun their annual task of hanging the long, heavy strands

of lights that make up the World's Tallest Christmas Tree.

Since 1962, the Circle has been decorated  for the Circle of Lights, 

with the Monument lighted in a ceremony that 

takes place the day after Thanksgiving. Up to a quarter million 

people come downtown to attend the event,

which is also televised to an even larger audience.

There are a total of fifty-two strands, using 4,784 LED lights. 

While all the bulbs are checked before being brought to the Circle, 

they are re-checked just before a pulley tows each strand 

up to a permanent attaching point over 200 feet above.

Above is a picture from last year,

just after the Monument's lights were turned on.