Homegrown stars will flip switches to light up the Plaza, mayor’s Christmas tree

‘Tis the season for flipping switches.

Sly James, heading into his last Christmas as mayor of Kansas City, will light up the County Club Plaza Thursday, Nov. 22, at the annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony.

And funnyman Kalen Allen from Kansas City, Kan., will do the honors Friday, Nov. 23, for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center.

The Plaza lighting is the 89th annual event and will feature “The Voice” participant Casi Joy of Smithville as well as one of the final performances from hometown Celtic band The Elders, who are retiring at the end of the year.

James will flip the switch a few minutes before 7 p.m. from the stage at Nichols Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. That will be accompanied by three fireworks displays, above the stage, at the Time Building (near Lululemon) and at the InterContinental Hotel.

A one-hour concert will also feature other local musicians who were on “The Voice”: Rachel Byerley from Johnson County and Kansas Citian Jake Wells.

The emcee this year is meteorologist Gary Lezak of KSHB, which will broadcast live from the Plaza. The main sponsor is the Kansas City Power & Light Co.

The lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, standing 100 feet tall in Crown Center Square, will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Allen’s switch flip will be followed by music and fireworks.

Allen, who became YouTube sensation for his takes on weird food combinations, was hired by Ellen DeGeneres after stories about his viral videos. DeGeneres gave him his own online show, OMK.

“The Mayors Christmas Tree Fund benefits senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children every year with gift cards, Christmas gifts and holiday parties that are hosted by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department at various community centers all across our community,” according to the fund’s website.