Kansas City, Mo. ? The annual Thanksgiving night lighting of the Country Club Plaza attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the upscale shopping center, with a return to its traditional style after last year’s more somber, patriotic event.

A crowd estimated at more than 300,000 filled the streets from sidewalk to sidewalk, and more watched from balconies overlooking the 14-square-block area.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, accompanied by his wife, Julie, and sons, T.J. and Derek, switched on the lights as the Plaza Lights Orchestra played a techno version of “Deck the Halls.”

The approximately 287,000 red, blue, yellow and green lights will remain on until Jan. 12.

For additional entertainment, Elvis impersonator Lee Dresser provided a rock ‘n’ roll show reminiscent of the ceremonies prior to last year’s patriotic event. Last Thanksgiving, Gov. Bob Holden and his sons, with help from Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, turned on the lights. A fireworks ceremony reiterated the concentration on patriotism just two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Plaza lighting tradition began in 1925 with one strand of 16 lights over a single doorway. It has expanded into a celebration that brings Kansas City area residents and tourists to the midtown shopping area.