Making light of winter gets mass approval
The atmosphere at Cromwell's Anderson Park Rose Garden was joyful as visitors relished the sights and sounds at this year's Light Up Winter event held on Saturday.
Event co-ordinator Anthea Lawrence reckoned there were between 5000 and 6000 visitors during the evening.
Plenty of time was spent organising this year's event, with Mrs Lawrence joking that in the days leading up to the event her house looked like a crew from the Hoarders TV show was about to arrive.
The whole family chipped in to help Mrs Lawrence's husband, Trevor, make a lit-up sign for the event and assist with the setting up. Son Ed came home from university to help out as well, she said.
"Like we're very happy. The night is great. We're happy with the turnout," Mrs Lawrence said.
This year, crowd favourites such as Thomas the Train, the fire dancers and fairies made returns, but there were some new additions too.
"More things going on. Vintage fire truck ... bigger, better mulled wine tents," Mrs Lawrence said.
Trevor Lawrence, his wife and event co-ordinator, Anthea, and Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis pose with the sign Mr Lawrence made.
More food stalls were also added to address demand.
"We're hoping that everyone's happy with not waiting too long," Mrs Lawrence said.
Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said people from across New Zealand and from overseas came to visit, with some co-ordinating the event with their ski trips.
The highlight of the night was the lighting and release of lanterns.
A thousand were sold and they were so popular there was a waiting list, Mrs Dennis said.
Those who had lanterns flocked to the field to let them go and admire them as they climbed into the dark Central Otago sky.
Mrs Dennis said the event allowed people to get out and meet their neighbours, see their friends and connect with the community during the darkest days of winter.
"Everyone feels that the event is heartwarming," she said.
ella.jenkins@odt.co.nz
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