He won gold at the Olympics in Rio, and now Kansas City’s Jack Sock will be the honored guest to “Flip the Switch” at this year’s 87th annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony.
41 Action News will broadcast the ceremony live Thanksgiving evening.
Sock is a professional tennis player who won gold in mixed doubles and captured a bronze medal in men’s doubles at the Rio Olympics. He is currently one of the top-ranked Americans in both singles and doubles within the Association of Tennis Professionals.
The 24-year-old is also currently ranked 25th in the world in singles and 22nd in doubles.
“We are thrilled to have Jack Sock serve as our honorary switch flipper this year,” said Meredith Keeler, general manager of The Country Club Plaza. “He has given us many reasons to celebrate this year, so it is only natural for him to kick off another great celebration: the holidays in the heart of Kansas City.”
Sock grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, and graduated from Blue Valley North High School. He was 80–0 in his KSHSAA 6A high school tennis career, winning four consecutive state championships.
“I’ve been watching this ceremony since I was a kid,” said Sock. “When I was asked to flip the switch I was not just honored but incredibly excited.”
Sock follows switch flippers in years past, which include author Gillian Flynn, Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, and actors Rob Riggle and Eric Stonestreet.
Where can you watch the Plaza Lighting?
41 Action News is honored to be the television broadcast partner of the 87th annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 - Thanksgiving evening - with the flip of the switch happening at 6:54 p.m.
41 Action News Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak will once again emcee the event.
Live coverage both on-air and online will begin at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
What's happening at this year's event?
This year’s KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony will include a special holiday performance by popular Kansas City Celtic group The Elders.
The location of the stage will be at Pennsylvania Street and Nichols Road. Several fireworks displays will begin immediately after the flip of the switch.
Recommended parking garages include Valencia Garage on the north side of 47th and Pennsylvania, Granada Garage on Pennsylvania just south of 47th Street, and Seville Garage behind the main stage on Jefferson and Nichols Road.
Be sure to follow @41ActionNews and @FlipDSwitch on Twitter or go to Facebook.com/KCPLPlazaLights for information leading up to and throughout the ceremony.
After the switch is flipped, the lights will shine daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. through Jan. 15, 2017.
We look forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving!
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