Coromandel Town lights up, Winter Festival of Lights

Coromandel Town lights up, Winter Festival of Lights.

Illume, the Winter Festival of Lights, is back for its second year in Coromandel Town,Friday 3rd July and Saturday 4th July.

Coromandel's main street will be lit up again with a variety of static and interactive light displays on its heritage buildings, businesses and homes.

"This is a free, family, fun event, so come along and enjoy a street market, get a taste of our local Coromandel flavours, live music and street performances," says Illume promoters Karen McMillan and Brenda Kelsey.

The main street will be closed on Friday for a night market from 5.30 - 9pm.

That night there'll be food stalls, musicians, clowns, a blacksmith firing metal, a robot man and street performers.

On Saturday there's a street parade followed by fireworks and the release of wishing lanterns. The evening continues with live music and a street party.

Last year several thousand people turned up for the first ever Illume Winter Festival of Lights, held during the winter school holidays.

"The event really brought our community together," says Mrs Kelsey. "Seeing the main street full of people having a good time was exactly what we wanted to achieve and we've had a real influx of volunteers and people who want to be part of this year's event.

"Businesses within the town and surrounds reported an increase in profit and turnover for last year's Illume week, despite some terrible weather," says Mrs McMillan.

This year event organisiers have decided to hold the festival over just one weekend instead of two.

"We have a fabulous and committed group of locals who are 100% behind organising this year's Illume Festival and making it a success," says Mrs Kelsey.

ENDS

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