*Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO*

On December 25, 1925, a single strand of Christmas lights was displayed above the doorway of the Mill Creek Building at the Country Club Plaza. This simple act was initiated by Charles "Pete" Pitrat, the maintenance supervisor of the Nichols Company, and marked the start of a tradition that would grow over the decades.

The Plaza itself was conceived in 1912 by J.C. Nichols, who envisioned a shopping center designed to accommodate the automobile age. With its Spanish-style architecture, green spaces, and proximity to Brush Creek, the Plaza quickly gained popularity as a destination for both shopping and leisure.

By 1930, the first official Plaza Lighting Ceremony was held, expanding on Pitrat's original idea and incorporating lights across the Plaza.

The Plaza Lights grew in scale and became a symbol of the holiday season in Kansas City. Each Thanksgiving, nearly 100,000 people gather to witness the illumination ceremony, now considered one of the most significant lighting displays in the country.

There was one notable exception to this tradition. In 1973, during the energy crisis, President Richard Nixon encouraged Americans to conserve energy, leading to the cancellation of the Plaza Lights that year.

Today, the Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony continues as a cherished tradition, attracting locals and visitors alike. While the event has grown in scope and recognition, its origins—a single strand of lights and a simple vision—serve as a reminder of its humble beginnings.