The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Light Nights return to brighten up city
Perth: Series of themed events to take place promising fun for all the family
A new version of a spectacular Perth lights show which attracted more than 50,000 people last year is to be staged on the banks of the River Tay.
Reflected in the waters of the Tay, the riverside in the city will be lit up from Saturday with the return of the Light Nights.
Taking place each night up until February 14, the event will be bigger than last year with more themed nights and entertainment laid on for visitors.
The opening two nights will be dedicated to the national bard with A Celebration of Burns.
To officially launch the event, there will be a parade on Saturday, marching from the city centre to the riverside area at the Norie-miller Walk.
Once there, visitors will be treated to traditional music, rap – bringing Burns’ songs and tales to the modern era – Highland dancing and a ceilidh, storytelling, poetry, and comedy.
No Burns Night would be complete without an address to the haggis and a community sing-along to Auld Lang Syne.
The parade will leave 2 High Street at 6pm, move along St John Street and make its way across the Queen’s Bridge to the riverside for 6.20pm when the entertainment will begin.
January 30 and 31 will see the lights take on a superhero theme with people invited to come along dressed as their favourite superhero or villain. During the superhero nights there will be an original 1960’s Batmobile on site.
Lib Dem Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett is an enthusiastic supporter of the event.
“Last year’s Light Nights displays were tremendous,” he said.
“This year’s are set to be even better. “There will be even more themes this year with something for all the family and for every generation.
“It was great to see so many families out and really enjoying the spectacle.”
February 2 and 3 will be all glow sticks and neon as the riverside becomes a ‘super bright silent night’.
There will be face painting and acrobatics and a silent disco, while February 4 and 5 has a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme.
On February 7, 8 and 9 visitors can follow the Yellow Brick Road as Ad-lib Theatre will help transport them from Perth to Oz, and on February 10 and 11 the event will be ringing in the Chinese New Year complete with Chinese dragon.
Bringing the event to a close on February 13 and 14 will be a celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Each weekend of the event there will be a chance to practise circus skills with Adventure Circus.
The Light Nights are free to attend but there will be food and drink for sale.
Each night the event will begin at 6pm and end at 10pm, last entry will be 9.45pm.
rburdge@thecourier.co.uk