The Quarry Nights Festival of Light and Art is a popular event. Photo / John Stone
The Quarry Nights Festival of Light and Art is a popular event. Photo / John Stone
A parade of lanterns will light up Whangarei to launch three nights of art, light and music.
The Quarry Nights Festival of Light and Art will start tonight as punters march with their glowing creations from Mander Park to the Quarry Art Centre. Quarry Art Centre community manager Andrea Beazleysaid the festival, an evolution of the Midwinter Arts Festival, was in its fifth year and had been growing in popularity.
"It's about celebrating our local artists, musicians and performers," she said "The festival is a chance to support local talent."
Tonight is targeted at families with a range of games and activities, tomorrow the Quarry lends its landscape to artists who will install sculptures which play with light, colour or shadow and musicians and performers will entertain the crowd. Saturday will be restricted to ticket holders only as the Quarry will host a dinner and show.
"We have art installations which will then act as a set for performers who meander through them," she said.
The festival attracts about 4000 people and about 800 people will be in the lantern festival tonight, which runs from 6 to 9pm and from 6 to 11pm tomorrow and Saturday.
Entry is $5 for adults and a gold coin donation for children - to purchase tickets for Saturday visit the Quarry Art Centre.
Anybody wanting to take part in the lantern parade meet at Mander Park at 6pm tonight. Visit http://quarrynights.com/ for more information.
