When you think of Boston landmarks you might come up with the Cheers bar, Paul Revere’s house or perhaps Fenway Park. If the home of the Boston Red Sox is somewhere you’ve visited (or even watched games on TV) you can’t help but notice the famous circa 1965 Citgo sign that stands beyond the left field wall, the famous green monster. As much as part the Fenway Park scenery as the ivy in Wrigley Field or the palm trees at Dodger stadium. Even people who don’t like baseball in beantown can’t help but be aware of the bright Citgo sign that towers above everything in the outfield except the floodlights.

The original Citgo sign has been there for 70 years and revised with bulbs 45 years ago now and has been lit for Red Sox from the Vietnam Era all the way through to a revival in the last decade which saw them win their first championship in over 85 years, Fenway Park itself has now stood for 98 years and the gasoline sign has illuminated left field for just under half of that time. The Citgo sign was last switched off in the 1970′s for three years due to the energy crisis (were we that aware back then!?) and will now be switched off for over a month for an eco-friendly upgrade. I was surprised to see this happen during the season but considering the first snows can often arrive during the playoffs in this part of New England they chose to do it this summer. They shouldn’t have worried as the Red Sox won’t be in the playoffs this season!

The giant sign measures 60 feet in height and width and currently contains over 210,000 LED lights and can be seen throughout the neighbourhood surrounding the ballpark. The signs goes dark to allow upgrades that will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the sign. Even though the lighting was replaced just 5 years ago the manufacturer no longer makes the lights required, hence the extreme makeover. The goal is for renovations to be complete in time for Citgo’s 100th anniversary in September, which might be the biggest event of the late season at Fenway Park. Congratulations though go to Citgo who are putting the new improved and green sign behind the green monster.

For more Citgo goodbyes (for now) please enjoy the video beneath.