The Star: August 11, 2016

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Thursday August 11 2016 23
Light show thrills family
IN SPITE of the prediction of
sub-zero temperatures (and
my huge aversion to the cold!)
I knew that this was an event
not to be missed.
Last Sunday evening, I
rugged up my two big girls
and headed into Hagley Park
to mingle with thousands of
other Christchurch kids at the
spectacular Botanic D’Lights
show.
As an intended surprise,
I hurried my five and sixyear-old
girls through dinner
and then dressed them up as
if they were heading to the
snow – thermals, ski pants,
gloves, balaclava, thick socks,
winter jacket and a must-have
torch. They were bewildered
with what was going on, and
wondered why they were set
to leave the house looking like
miniature Michelin men.
But they didn’t fuss – they
were more focused on the fact
they were heading out into the
dark rather than joining their
little twin sisters for stories
and bed (though the twins
weren’t so happy about that).
With the city council predicting
up to 8000 visitors, I
anticipated a slow trip and lots
of time in traffic. I set an intention
to get a rock star park
as close as possible and so
crossed all appendages, drove
straight there, and found that
the parking pixies were on my
Melissa McDonnell
side.
We managed to find a spot
just down from the entrance.
Great start. The girls shrieked
as they hopped out of the car
to see lights flickering onto the
museum buildings, lighting
up the trees and shooting into
the sky. My five-year-old was
so excited I thought she might
faint – after all, she’s only
been out in the dark a handful
of times, so this was off the
charts.
As we wound ourselves
around the paths and through
the throngs, we discovered a
disco rink which got our wee
party started. The girls set fire
to the dance floor as the lights
synced to the musical beats –
they were in heaven.
Further along we were
treated to a genius lighting
feat. A series of projections
had been set atop a bridge
which beamed beautiful lights
into the sky while creating
captivating reflections in the
dark waters of the Avon River.
This extremely clever creation
combined technology with
nature to invent a phantasmagoric
experience which was
nothing short of mesmerising.
The magic continued as the
path provided a beautiful fairy
garden; an archway of lights; a
giant screen nestled in a pond
which projected evolving light
creations; and clever interactive
displays which invited
the crowds to get amongst the
fun. There were bubbles to be
chased, cubes to be rolled and
light canvases which came
to life before our eyes. Pure
brilliance.
As we came to the end of
the circuit, the girls were
flying high. In spite of the
freezing temperatures, their
cheeks were flushed and they
were oblivious to the cold.
They wanted so stay longer,
and managed to negotiate one
last boogie at the disco before
reluctantly heading to the car.
Getting home after 8pm on
a school night is pretty rare
in our household, so it was
straight to bed and lights out.
I could hear them giggling
and comparing their favourite
displays, and proclamations
of this being “the best night
COLOUR: Bright lights
entertain children in the
Botanic Gardens.
ever”. Yet there was silence
within five minutes. Two tired
and happy girls right there.
So a big thanks to the city
council for hosting such an
amazing event. It’s awesome
to be a part of a city that is rebuilding
and reinventing itself
with such a technologically innovative,
family-friendly and
altogether fun community
experience. We can’t wait for
next year!
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