Stratford Press

New works to illuminate Festival of Lights’ return

-

The TSB Festival of Lights is back after a two-year hiatus and has plans to hit the road around Taranaki.

The New Plymouth District Council festival, taking place at Pukekura Park, had been postponed for the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictio­ns and this year features 13 new installati­ons.

The new installati­ons, featuring Evanescent designed by Atelier Sisu from Sydney, will connect a 3km light route within Pukekura Park.

Venture Taranaki chief executive Kelvin Wright says the team are thrilled the festival is back.

“The festival will significan­tly add to our region’s vibrancy and encourage domestic travel and visitation.”

The award-winning festival, which received awards at this year’s New Zealand Event Associatio­n Awards, will run from December 17 until January 22, 2023.

The festival will also be taken on the road with new tour events taking place in Waitara and Inglewood.

New Plymouth District Council group manager — community and customer services Teresa Turner says the festival is almost finalised and organisers were keen to give festival lovers a glimpse of what to expect as people plan their summer holidays.

“Even if you have been many times before, we are always looking to evolve the festival, as we did earlier this year with the Winter Pop-Up event in the CBD, attracting around 15,000 people over four days.”

She says the festival will feature something for everyone.

“We will have Festival Kids for families to get involved, Summer Seniors, light bites and refreshmen­ts, and amazing entertainm­ent.”

TSB CEO Donna Cooper says the festival is a world-class event that brings the community together and attracts people from across Aotearoa.

“That’s why as a bank that exists to give back to our community, TSB is incredibly proud to get behind it for the 19th running.”

i

For more informatio­n and to keep up to date with informatio­n visit festivalof­lights.nz or the social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

 ?? ?? Light feature Evanescent — designed by Atelier Sisu from Sydney.
Light feature Evanescent — designed by Atelier Sisu from Sydney.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand