This year’s community lantern parade and spectacular sculptures and light shows as part of East Gippsland Winter Festival’s Lakes Lights event were a creative masterpiece with locals and visitors embracing the magical atmosphere.
The theme last Saturday night was the magical realms of ‘Enchanted Shores’, and it certainly lived up to this with spectacular lantern sculptures crafted by skilled artisans, graceful dancers and roving performers embodying mythical creatures.
East Gippsland Winter Festival director Adam Bloem said it was the biggest display in the event’s history and the crowd of approximately 5000 was on par with last year.
“Lead artist Lee Nickless and his whole crew of artists, including FLOAT, did a fantastic job, they all just love being involved,” Mr Bloem said.
The starting point for the parade was at The Slipway which had created a carnival atmosphere with delicious food on offer to start the evening off.
The public once more outdid themselves with homemade lanterns, umbrellas, wings and much more being on display as they walked down the Esplanade led by the Lakes Entrance CFA and across the footbridge to the fantastical land that was created.
There had been several free lantern making workshops in the lead-up to the night which helped many make their own lantern to carry in the parade.
After visiting the display there was a food truck and live music precinct, organised by the Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA) to the east of the rotunda. This saw many dancing and eating the night away to local band IO. Eateries along the Esplanade and Myer Street were also busy feeding the masses.
This event has grown over the past years to become a leading drawcard to Lakes Entrance.
“We have a ticketing system to try to stop overcrowding and over half those bookings were from outside of East Gippsland. This is a big boost to local accommodation houses, shops and dining venues,” Mr Bloem said
“East Gippsland Winter Festival thanks the main contributors Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance and LEADA, our sponsors in particular Archer Signs who came on board and then volunteered on the night, plus all our volunteers marshalls who gave up their time to help out.
“I really just want to thank all those involved for such a successful night,” Adam said.
IMAGE: Lakes Lights: Enchanted Shores once again provided an outstanding spectacle with its lantern parade and static exhibition on the Lakes Entrance foreshore and and footbridge last Saturday night as part of the growing East Gippsland Winter Festival.
