Hastings graphic designer Louis Coyle and his 17-week-old son Lèoden putting the final touches on this year's Christmas in the Park digital firework story. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hastings graphic designer Louis Coyle and his 17-week-old son Lèoden putting the final touches on this year's Christmas in the Park digital firework story. Photo / Paul Taylor
An internationally renowned digital designer from Hastings has helped ensure this year's Hawke's Bay's Christmas in the Park has a wow factor, even though it's fully online.
Covid-related challenges forced the Kaisen Charitable Trust into a back-up plan after the realisation that the usual Christmas at the Park would notbe possible.
Although Hawke's Bay locals won't be heading to Anderson Park on Saturday, there's a fair few upsides to the digital move.
One of those is the digital fireworks show designed by humble Hastings digital designer Louis Coyle.
David Trim, Christmas in the Park organiser, said it was environmentally-friendly, only as noisy as your device allowed, and was spectacular.
"All pets can relax and enjoy the show with their owners, in the comfort of their favourite spot on the couch or pet blanket," Trim said.
With the virtual event, Kaisen Charitable Trust wanted to maintain all the entertainment features they typically pack into the show.
Coyle said creating the digital firework display was "a lot of fun, challenging at times, with lots of late nights, bug fixing, modelling and animating".
The firework display will focus on the theme of a "guiding star" telling a story while visiting places in Hawkes Bay.
"I made something a little different, a journey and a celebration of Hawkes Bay, with fireworks adding to the story," Coyle said.
As a local himself, the designer said, "I love Hawke's Bay, and I was interested in celebrating the region.
"I hoped to make something uniting and feelgood in a time where so much division is seen. We live here in this little slice of paradise and we can be proud of that," Coyle said.
A little taste of what to expect when tuning in to Christmas in the Parks first every digital story telling firework display. Design / Louis Coyle
The Kaisen Charitable Trust had been looking at three different versions of the event in the likelihood that Hawke's Bay would be at orange or higher on the new traffic light system.
"We were trying to find ways to keep our Hawkes Bay events alive instead of ending up on the cancellation list," Trim said.
Last week the events organising team made the decision to go digital for this year's event, as it meant Christmas in the Park would still go ahead, just not in the 'park'.
This Saturday, the new digital version will be live-streamed over Facebook starting at 6pm, running for two and a half hours instead of the usual four and a half.
Jason Kerrison, from Opshop, will be on screen delivering a full energy concert. He will be supported by local bands, singers, Santa Claus and Christmas carols.
This year's event will be "action-packed", with a variety of guest appearances as well as a few competitions people at home can participate in, Trim said.
The event will be held indoors, with a live studio audience of 100 people sent private invitations.
Another upside to a virtual Christmas in the Park is that online is more interactive. People can comment and send messages while the show is on, Trim said.
"There is the potential for the audience to be larger than would be possible at Anderson Park."
This is also a chance for "ex Hawke's Bay pats, and anyone globally can watch how we do Christmas in the Park during Covid restrictions," Trim said.
