Illuminate event to light up the night
IF glow-in-the-dark bugs are your shtick, then Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal's Illuminate is for you.
The event, which lights up the night and Mackay's botanic gardens, is tipped to be a popular part of the Mackay Mazda Festival of Arts 2018.
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal CEO Steve Rae said the company was once again proud to support the spectacular event.
"There was an amazing community response to the event in 2017, and we are excited to be involved with the initiative again this year,” he said.
After the massive success of 2017's maiden Illuminate festival, the spectacle of light and art will back on the Festival of Arts program bigger and better than ever.
Taking place over three nights, Illuminate will light up the area as it loops through the gardens from the Meadowlands Amphitheatre event hub.
Alongside displays that include giant roving firefly puppets, interactive cocoons and a neon photo booth, local food vendors and acoustic entertainment will be on show for patrons to enhance their experience.
Mackay Regional Council said installations would come from Melbourne for the spectacle.
As part of the event, visitors are invited to be part of of the Illuminate journey and take part in artist-led workshops in the lead-up to the festival where many of the artworks on display will be crafted.
Workshop co-ordinator Wanda Bennett said everyone was welcome to come along to help create large-scale lanterns and glow-in-the-dark cane and bamboo creations.
"We want to give as many locals as possible the chance to contribute to this amazing display that becomes a sensational night out for families,” she said.
The next workshop will be held on Sunday, July 22 and run from 10am - 4pm. At this workshop, Illuminated Sunflowers will be made to be used as part of the 2018 Illuminate experience.
This year, the festival program also features an extensive Fringe Events section, including Workpac Whitsunday Voices Literary Dinner, Mackay Chamber Music Festival and more than a dozen other shows, plays, exhibitions, dinners and family activities.
