2009 WRAL-TV Tower Lighting

WRAL marked 50 years as a beacon of holiday cheer on Dec. 1 when the lights went on at the transmission tower outside the WRAL-TV Studios, at 2619 Western Blvd. in Raleigh.

The annual event transforms the station's 300-foot tower into a 300-foot Christmas tree. Three 5-foot stars adorn the top of the tower, and 2,805 colored lights keep it glowing through New Year’s Day.

The tower was lit Dec. 1 during the WRAL News at 6.

50 years in the making

The tradition, the vision of A.J. Fletcher, the founder of WRAL's parent company, Capitol Broadcasting Co., began in 1959. Each year, Fletcher would read "A Christmas Carol" to viewers before the tower was lit.

Since then, the original tradition has been embellished with new ones, including musical performances, aerial video from Sky 5 and streaming video to the Web and mobile phones.

• Photos: Your holiday light show
• Images of 2008 tower lighting
  
• Images of 2006 tower lighting

This year, the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine band performed.

“The WRAL Tower Lighting is an annual tradition that we all look forward to,” said Leesa Moore Craigie, director of news operations and special projects. “It is our gift to the community and a wonderful way to start the holiday season. It is truly one of those feel-good TV moments of which I’m proud to be a part.”

The 2,800-plus lights stay on the tower year-round but are lighted only during the holiday season.