A hill of a good night out
As the sun set over Nelson, lanterns of all different shapes and sizes were glowing atop the Centre of New Zealand.
Thousands of people made their way up the Botanical Hill as part of the annual Lantern Celebration in Nelson on Saturday night. The crowd was entertained by musicians and artists along the way.
The theme for the annual celebration was a ‘‘trail of dreams’’ and the sounds of choir singers, samba drums and the sitar could be heard by those walking up the hill to Sir Stanley Whitehead Park.
The Lantern Celebration has been a part of Nelson’s summer for more than 29 years and workshops were held at Community Art Works in the lead up to the event so children had a chance to craft their own battery- powered lanterns.
The festival had a lineup of live performers to keep the crowds entertained.
Artists from InsideOut Circus and Physical Theatre delighted onlookers with their new Ultraviolet and Silk show.
Nelson Sambassadors dance co-ordinator Ingrid Penfold said the event was ‘‘fabulous’’ and there was a ‘‘beautiful vibe’’ on top of the hill.
‘‘There is just something really special about it and it’s soulful, there is just a kind of calm about it,’’ she said.
‘‘The music and the drums and the sun setting and the lights over Nelson, it’s beautiful.
The community group were one of several entertainers at the event and their music and dancing drew younger members of the crowd in to join them.
‘‘People do love it, they love the whole beat and the drums and the dancing.’’