A mass lantern release of up to a thousand lanterns will be a feature of this year’s Light Up Winter event which promises to be a stunning evening of family-oriented entertainment in the Cromwell Mall.

The 2019  event is scheduled for July 20 from 4.30pm until 9.00pm and will be a significant attraction for locals and visitors to the region.

“This year Light Up Winter is actually coinciding with the second week of the July school holidays so it’s an excellent time of year for families enjoying winter ski holidays to connect with the town,” says Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager, Marion Low.

“The event was established three years ago as a way to celebrate winter and mark the end of the coldest months here in the south. Cromwell people have really embraced the evening which has a real community aspect and many local volunteers work hard to ensure its success.”

In keeping with the solar theme, fairy lights will light up the Cromwell Mall and the programme will provide a festive atmosphere with entertainers, food, art and craft stalls, live music and light installations. The shops in the Mall will join in the festivities  by lighting up their windows in the best dressed window competition with public voting deciding the winner.

“This year we are welcoming magician Johnathan Usher to the entertainment line up along with a Ballonologist named Pippity Pop, face painting by Ms Monarch and Flame Entertainment’s group of fairies and fire dancers while Queenstown band, Turtle Funk, will provide music throughout the evening,” says Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group community relationships manager, Gretchen Nightingale.

The mass lantern release will be held early evening with biodegradable paper lanterns taking to the sky the Big Fruit Reserve to create a beautiful display above Cromwell., followed by a Light Up Your Hat parade in the Mall.