Light Nelson exceeds expectations with record attendance

Light Nelson exceeds expectations with record 55,000 attendance

Light Nelson charmed and enthralled a record crowd of 55,000, cementing its place as a unique mid-winter attraction on the Nelson calendar.

Trust Chair Brian Riley said attendance at the five night light festival in Queens Gardens peaked at 15,500 on Sunday night, with the crowds showing an ‘amazing diversity’.

“When we started out in 2013 the Trust wanted to present a family-friendly event that engaged the widest possible audience - we have certainly achieved that,” he said. “The city has embraced Light Nelson, it puts a little bit of magic into people’s lives in the mid-winter; and in a time when we are increasingly isolated and focussed on our devices, it is real and interactive.”

Riley said it appeared there were many people from out of town drawn for the event. He said while its role in attracting visitors was important, it was first and foremost a celebration for Nelson.

“As a community, we can’t underestimate the importance of this number and range of people coming out to share an experience and to talk to each other. I’m particularly stoked that our kids are there in their beanies and mittens to be part of it.”

Riley said from the diversity of the crowd it was clear there were many people at Light Nelson who would not normally engage with the arts, or have the opportunity to see a show such as the electronic synth band NEON with its spectacular digital imagery.

“We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to our sponsors, the Luminaries, and our major funder the Nelson City Council for the support that enables us to keep Light Nelson free,” he said. “We also need to acknowledge the huge hours put in by whole team in creating and delivering this event – the artists, the production staff and the volunteers who braved the cold to make everything flow smoothly.”

Jon Baxter, the creator of the digital mapping on the old Nelson Technical Institute building, described Light Nelson as ‘extraordinary’, with an eclectic range of installations.

“The great thing about a festival like this is that it creates an environment where people can interact,” he said. “ It breaks down the barriers and gives people permission to have random yarns with complete strangers and for artists to talk with their audience.”

It is the third time Light Nelson has been staged, and the plans are for it to remain biennial, with the next show in July 2018. May the light shine on.

Ends

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