Oregon Public Broadcasting

Wednesday night, dozens of people and school children gathered around a large ceremonial switch in downtown Portland, near the Burnside Bridge.

Shortly after five the kids pulled the lever, lighting the White Stag in the "Made in Oregon" sign.  And the stag's bright red nose was illuminated, too. 

It's a holiday tradition, turning the stag into Rudolf.

Joe Gibson is with Ramsey Signs. The company owns the famous Portland landmark. He says they invited the children from a program called Junior Achievement BizTown to help with lighting the sign.

Gibson: "We are celebrating the 68th year of this sign down in Old Town and we're having a nose lighting ceremony just to create a little excitement. It's been a couple of years since we've done anything like this and felt it was a good time."

Lily Odegaard is a fifth grader with BizTown. The program allows children to simulate operating businesses. She was involved with a sign making business.

Odegaard: "The people from the Made in Oregon wanted us to light the switch because
we always look for that every year."

BizTown has its own "Made in Oregon" replica as part of the program.