Light festival helps banish winter blues

Grace Raven of Mount Maunganui with her American imported LED hula hoops was a big attraction at last night's IlluminART Festival.

Greerton shrugged off chilly mid-winter blues and celebrated a magical evening of light, fire and great performances.

Last night's light-based festival of family fun, IlluminART, provided a beacon to hundreds and cemented itself as a firm favourite on Tauranga's growing events calender.

The free festival started at 5.30pm with the Tauranga Samba Band leading the lantern parade down Chadwick Rd to the Village Square.

"It's a chance for the community to come together during a time of the year when most people stay at home curled up in front of the TV," Greerton Village Mainstreet manager David Hart said.

He said it was about having fun and getting through the wintry blast in style.

The lantern-making sessions earlier this week were so successful that organisers had to close the doors half an hour early because so many people turned up. "Last year we were hoping for 150 lanterns and got 100. This year we lost count after about 250," Mr Hart said.

The timing of the festival coincided with the first Friday of the school holidays, ensuring maximum participation by families and everyone getting into the spirit of the vibrant event.

LANTERNS ALOFT: Ten-year-old Angela Julian (left) and her cousin Hayley Nikora, 9, had a wonderful time at last night's IlluminART Festival.

It showcased the best of fire dance and other creative performers, lasers, light shows and hot air balloons masquerading as giant lanterns. People who dressed and lit themselves for the occasion were up for spot prizes, with UV or blacklights positioned around the area to show off white and fluorescent-coloured clothing and face paint.

Cousins Hayley Nikora and Angela Julian were among the hundreds of children who thronged to the event. They made lanterns and described the event as amazing. Hayley from Greenpark School liked the different types of lights and all the coloured lanterns. "The dancers were cool."

Angela from Matua School said she was amazed at how it all fitted together.

IlluminART, which spilled over into Greerton Village School's playing field, finished at 8.30pm.