Bloomington partakes in its beautiful holiday tradition in spite of a pandemic. by Hannah Arroyo The Canopy Lights is a beloved Bloomington tradition celebrated each year during the holiday season. Bloomington city workers string-up Christmas lights from the Monroe County Courthouse to the surrounding buildings in a radial design. This makes a beautiful display in downtown Bloomington that can be enjoyed in full extent at night.
ABOVE: Looking toward the south at the front doors of the courthouse where strings of lights radiate outward, attaching to surrounding buildings on the square. BELOW: Another angle of the lights streaming from the courthouse dome. Photos: Hannah Arroyo/Fused
The light emissions span for household light bulb, which were miles so many people can enjoy. It much larger than today’s household is meant to serve as a kick-off to the bulbs. holiday season. This year, the lights were The current tradition’s histo- switched on Friday, November 27. ry dates back to 1985, making it 35 However, to everyone’s dismay, the years old this year, however the hol- larger festivities of the tradition were cancelled due to the COVIDiday custom actually began in the 19 pandemic. 1930’s. Ninety years ago, the city only installed about 10 strings of lights from the courthouse dome compared to the 24 strands today.
Originally, the idea came from Robert Sullivan, a downtown clothier. He owned a shop on the square specializing in clothes for smaller men. At that time, the bulbs were actually the size of that era’s basic,
Even though the large, social gathering aspect, complete with food trucks, live music and crowds of families and friends was cancelled, people can still enjoy the lights until Valentine’s Day. Despite living in a pandemic, it is the holiday season, offering hope and joy and 24 strings of lights… at the end of the tunnel.
The lights are traditionally lit by Santa Claus the day after Thanksgiving. It is typically accompanied with live music, entertainers, food trucks, thousands of people and other festivities.
Page 3
