The Armidale Light Festival was a shining example of an inclusive community event that attracted more than 5,000 people to Central Park to see the "Vivid-inspired" light spectacular.
The free, family-friendly event saw Central Park and Tingcombe Lane come alive last Friday night with a fibre field garden, fabulous fire twirlers, giant lantern puppets and community performances and installations.
Crossing over with the UNE Winter Graduation, the Light Festival saw the CBD come alive with pubs and restaurants full and food vendors from the event selling out.
"We had an overwhelming turnout of between 5,000 to 7,000 attendees at the Armidale Light Festival, which was a truly spectacular event, attracting lots of families who enjoyed the immersive atmosphere," said Armidale Regional Council (ARC) General Manager James Roncon.
"The Armidale CBD was alive and vibrant, and the festival was a perfect celebration to mark the end of winter. The light installations, especially those done by local schools and community groups, were hugely popular and the Armidale Waldorf School fire twirling performances were a standout, adding to the magic of the evening.
"The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have said they haven't experienced an event of this calibre or size in Armidale for some time. And the park looked absolutely beautiful with all the illuminated trees.
"Events like the Armidale Light Festival are vital for our city because they bring our community together, showcase our vibrant culture, and boost the local economy. They create a lively atmosphere in the CBD, attracting visitors and supporting our local businesses.
"Moreover, these events highlight Armidale's unique character and foster a sense of pride among residents, making our city an even more inviting and dynamic place to live and visit."
The ARC-run event was funded by the NSW Government through the Open Streets Program - a $4.5 million funding program to energise streets and create thriving local spaces that support businesses, creative sectors and the community through community events and activations.
"We would like to give a huge shout out to ARC staff and volunteers who put so much work into this amazing event as well as Arts North West and NERAM contributors," said Renata Davis, ARC's Manager Activations and Precincts.
"The festival was made possible by the incredible work of Mandy Lights from Sydney and New England Events Services with their spectacular light installations.
