Crowds enthralled at Lantern Spectacular
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Thousands of people converged on Nelson's Botanical Hill on Saturday night for the annual Community Trust Lantern Spectacular event.
Talking tree stumps, a fairy queen, knights and witches, musicians and a large colourful bird cooing from a tree branch enthralled children and made grown-ups laugh on the annual pilgrimage up Nelson's Botanical Hill on Saturday night.
A crowd of about 4000 people turned out for the Community Trust Lantern Spectacular. It was preceded by a lantern-making workshop at the Suter Art Gallery and a drumming percussion workshop in the afternoon to develop a core group that led the music up the hill.
The group marched from the gallery to Botanical Hill, led by The Merry Men, who won the Port Nelson Masked Parade with their tribute to the late Kim Merry.
Long-time festival crew member Cynthia Lorrian has taken over co-ordinating the event from Mr Merry, who died in August.
She said the event, which started the annual Summer in Nelson festival, was one that showed the strength of the Nelson community. The lantern celebration was also one of Mr Merry's favourite events.
''The different theatrical acts on the way up the hill get strangers talking to each other and you get some really joyous interactions,'' she said.
Children were bewitched by the life-sized talking tree stumps, and animated fairy tale characters, which interacted with the crowd. A flautist, tucked into a dark alcove on the Centre of New Zealand walkway, intrigued many with the haunting notes emanating from the native bush by the kauri tree. Youngsters who were high above the city at sunset were amazed with the view. ''Look, there's the harbour, and Victory School and there's the Nelson City Council,'' said one child excitedly.
Drumming greeted walkers at the top of the hill, and the downward journey was marked by the music from a choir near the bottom.
Summer in Nelson continues until the end of February. The next big event will be the Trafalgar Square countdown on New Year's Eve.
The festival is produced by the city council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors. Programme booklets are available at council offices, libraries and visitor centres throughout the region, and information is on the website at www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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