Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Thursday 5 March 2015

Enlighten 2015

Canberra, my city, is widely regarded as making ditch water seem positively scintillating by comparison.  Arguable, but never mind.  So when the Enlighten festival started last week we had to go.

We first went last year and loved it.  The facades of buildings in the Parliamentary Triangle were illuminated, bathed in colour and in some instance animated scenes danced across them.  It was always a given that we would front up this year as well.

There was music, there was food (even if we didn't get any), there were happy crowds.  And some of the buildings (like the Art Gallery and the National Library) stayed open for much longer than usual.

Please come with me - and settle in for a looooong ride with a lot of photos.  As always photos will embiggen when clicked upon.

We started at the National Gallery.  Where I was severely disappointed.  The image changed every few minutes it is true, but the only change was in colour.  Not a patch on last year's effort.

This year:




Fairly dull - and it certainly doesn't compare with last years effort which looked like this:





I would score this year's effort as a fail.

I was concerned that a precedent had been set and wore my sulkpot Ben Nag Nag hat as we headed towards the  National Portrait Gallery.  Less than twenty metres further on  I threw the grumpy hat away.

Trees along the walk way between the Gallery and the Portrait Gallery were spotlighted with changing colours.




And then to the Portrait Gallery.






Next was Questacon - our interactive Science Museum.






And then to the National Library.



The lights on Old Parliament House failed just before we got there.  We waited twenty minutes or so and essentially said 'sod that for a game'  and headed home.  There are a couple of events scheduled for this weekend we would like to see, and with luck the Parliament House lights will be back on.

On balance I liked last year's festival better, but I am not sorry we went this year as well.  And we will line up next year too.

124 comments:

  1. Last year's pictures looked better in the first one for sure, but still kind of cool. :) Like you, I would have liked to have gone though anyway. :)

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    1. mail4rosey: We are not sorry we went. At all.

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  2. Beautiful. I don't think we have anything like this in the US. A friend was in Berlin during their Light Festival and took a cool video of the Berlin Wall tumbling down projected on the Brandenburg Gate

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: A number of our cities hold similar festivals. And seeing a video of the Berlin Wall falling would be amazing.

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  3. Absolutely a remarkable difference, but still rather interesting, and especially nice for us to visit it with you. I imagine that each year they have different folks working on it?

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    1. Karen S.: I assume they do have different people working on it each year. I suspect the buildings get some input into what they display as well.

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  4. I like that they haven't gone for the really obvious of just lighting things to make them look old. The science circus bus is funny. I agree, the National Gallery looks very artistic, but boring.

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    1. Andrew: Oh good, I am glad that someone else thought it was dull.

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  5. Odd, that, after the spectacular one last year. The rest didn't disappoint though, do hope you get to see the Parliament Building one working again.

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    1. Gillie: I assume that the Old Parliament House lights were working the night we were there as well. We were just too impatient to wait. It was hot, I was tired, and we knew we would be coming back.

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  6. Dear EC
    Love the photos (especially the Science Museum colours) but the thing that made me laugh out loud was the Land of Green Ginger character name! I love that book - it makes me laugh out loud too! Here's to Sulkpots, Tintacs, Rubdubs and Boomalakkas everywhere!
    Best wishes (and thanks for making me laugh)
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: I love The Land of Green Ginger too. My copy was damaged and is missing a few chapters. I really, really need to replace it. Mind you, despite it being many years since I read it last I can still quote big slabs from it...

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  7. I wish I could attend such a festival. The lights sure do entertain. Glad you're enjoying it even if some exhibits are not as good as last year. The pictures are great.

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    1. Myrna R.: There are a couple of events coming up this weekend I really want to see as well - and, with luck, the lights on Old Parliament House will be working again too.

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  8. This year's displays seemed to depend on technology and light. Last year's depended on talent. Yup.

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    1. Susan Kane: There was technology last year too. Perhaps it was heart that was missing? Or passion? Still pondering.

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  9. I've never been to any sort of a light show, so I am impressed.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: We were impressed too. Just greedy. The Art Gallery was sooooo spectacular last year.

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  10. I like the way they lit up the buildings. Perhaps it will be better next year.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: It is such a fun idea. We will certainly line up again next year. And every year.

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  11. You were on a low, never mind, next year it will be better, I hope EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Some of it was disappointing, but a lot of it was beautiful. We will be back next year.

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  12. Your photos are great! Sorry to hear you were disappointed in the exhibition.

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    1. Sienna Smythe: Only some of it was disappointing. We were very glad we went.

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  13. From the pictures I like last year's colors better, too.

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    1. Jono: The Art Gallery was spectacular last year - and it featured images from an amazing exhibition too. Win/win.

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  14. That's a shame that last years was better, but it still all looks very impressive. I like the photos you took.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: It really is impressive. And my disappointment this year was certainly not enough to put me off.

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  15. Can I go with you next year?

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    1. fishducky: Of course you can come. The more the merrier.

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  16. I can't wait to use the phrase 'sod for a game'! :) I like it. What a nice idea - that exhibition. Sorry it wasn't better - maybe next year.

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    1. Lynn: The full phrase is 'sod that for a game of soldiers...', though I have seen the word sod replaced with fuck. The exhibition is a brilliant initiative - and we will be there next year.

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  17. so beautiful! Thanks for taking me along.

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  18. You may have been a little harsh on the National Gallery. I liked it, and I only got to enjoy it from your photos. You want variety, right? :)

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: You are making me feel guilty. If I hadn't seen last year's display I would have liked this year better.

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  19. I agree with you about those first pics being a lot more boring than the previous year's, but I sure like the rest! How pretty!

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    1. mshatch: It is pretty. And a wonderful way to brighten up some fairly dull architecture. Though, mind you, I like some of the buildings anway - the library, questacon and the art gallery are always interesting. Old Parliament House (which I hope to feature next week) looks a bit like an overdone wedding cake and the Portrait Gallery is dull.

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  20. That certainly was quite a difference in images at The National Galery - from the sublime to the simple. Very different, but both interesting.

    After seeing the pictures with the lighted trees, I am thinking that I would like to do something like that in my yard.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I would like lighted trees in our yard too. The lights changed colour too.
      You are also making me feel a bit guilty (and greedy) for my criticism about the National Gallery.

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  21. The lights are just amazing. I'm sure pictures just don't do them justice.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Are you criticising my photography? And yes, you are right. The photos don't do the exhibition justice.

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  22. I'm sad you were somewhat disappointed, but I really enjoyed seeing these photos anyway!

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    1. Alexia: It is a wonderful festival. To be followed by another. Balloons next.

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  23. Some of the photos looked very pretty and interesting, and others (like the first part) not so much. But it does look well worth attending and photographing so you can share it with us! :-)

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    1. DJan: It was certainly well worth going to see. And we will, almost certainly, be back this weekend for part two. We can't have been tooooo disappointed.

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  24. I rather liked your "failed" National Gallery and everythng else in the festival ... a fav would be the Science building, I think. I think the whole thing is spectacular ... I need to look up your less impresive than ditch water city ... it seems to me, somebody must be mistaken. You have many highly touted buildings i.e like a university is there. I hope when (and if) I make it to Australia (#2 on my Bucket List ... #1 is my Son's Thai wedding in Thailand next February) that I will be able to visit your lovely city and YOU, of course :) Meanwhile, this looks like it was great fun ... like you, I would go back every year :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea Priebe: I like my city. Some of it is wonderful. It is the seat of Government which is part of the reason it attracts criticism. Some of it is wonderful though - and I would be very, very happy to show it to you.

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  25. I agree last years looks more colourful maybe the powers that be decided not to be too exciting this year, in case your image suffered next year will be better.
    Merle/............

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    1. Merlesworld: Now there is a clever explanation. LOL.

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  26. I tend to agree on the first image/s. If they're going to go to the trouble, then make it spectacular!! Like last years. I'm sure they want most people returning again, not hesitant in anyway, for the following year.
    Perhaps, with current feedback, they will be back to spectacular next year.

    The trees look magical and awesome!

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    1. Vicki: Weren't the trees great? And they changed colour too. It was astonishing how different they looked with each shift.

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  27. I'm glad that, on the whole, you enjoyed your evening out; let's hope that next year things will have improved! Good to see you again. =)

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    1. Jacquelineand...: Thank you. We did enjoy it on balance. And will be back.

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  28. oh it's fun to see you enjoy yourself! Cheers!



    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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    1. Cloudia: There is fun everywhere. Isn't it wonderful?

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  29. Glad you an interesting and fun outing! Boy, I love those lighted trees!

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  30. You're right about those first few pictures, very dull indeed. I like the third photo of the science museum, where it actually looks like something not just a blaze of lights. The museum is pretty good too.

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    1. River: We are not sorry we went, despite thinking that the Art Gallery was more impressively illuminated last year.

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  31. Sorry you were somewhat disappointed. I'm biased, but I think you're photos are much better.

    Take care, and I hope you're feeling better across the board. (physically and emotionally).

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. The body is still behaving badly, but I am treating it (and the mind) with as much ignore as I can. And outings help.

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  32. Replies
    1. Rawknrobyn: How nice to see that other people suffer from finger dyslexia too.

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  33. Museum? I meant Library.

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  34. That is just awesome. I wish we had something similar here in the states!

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    1. 1st Man: It is a wonderful initiative, and I am glad that it is a yearly event.

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  35. The Enlighten Festival is something I would love as well. My favorite in this post are the illuminated trees - how beautiful is that!!! You are lucky to live in a place that offers so much.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Anything which celebrates trees is a winner immediately in my eyes. I loved them too.

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  36. Wonderful shots of the lit up buildings. Shame that this year's effort wasn't as good as last year's.

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    1. ladyfi: I was only really disappointed with one buildings display. And have high hopes for next year.

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  37. Great photos, EC. I can't believe a year has gone by already since the last one!

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    1. Lee: It is scary how fast the year flies by...

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  38. No River of Fire this year? Dang ... I loved that one. Life here been v.busy so a bit long between visits ... I apologise for that :-)
    I do have news though and that is that a short film Marina and submitted to this year's Lights. Canberra, Action! festival was shortlisted and will be shown tomorrow night at the festival's Gala Opening at the Senate Garden of OPH! Is called "This Too Shall Pass" ... Very exciting :-)

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  39. ...and I ... Marina and I... ;-)

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    1. Geoff: Wonderful news. I don't think I can get there - but good luck. Sadly at the moment I can't get to your site. It shows up in my reader, but will not load. Hiss and spit.

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  40. It sounds like Canberra should be the sister city to Las Vegas, both stuck in a desert trying to pretend they're not... but thanks for the pictures and information as it is always good to learn about someplace that isn't high on my list to go (but Alice Springs and taking a train across the continent are on my list)

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    1. sage: There are some definite pluses about my city. Some of it I love. It is beautiful, in almost every season except summer. Kakadu is somewhere in Oz I would love to see. Sadly, its hot/sticky climate means that my health wouldn't allow it.

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  41. I wonder why they took the cheap route on the National Gallery? Last year's photos were spectacular. The rest of it looks gorgeous though. Thanks so much for sharing your wanderings!

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    1. River Fairchild: I hope they go overboard again next year. Minimalism and I don't get on very well.

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  42. Great photos, dear. As usual.
    The lit up buildings are astounding.
    How are you. I mean, REALLY? xxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: Thank you. I am ok(ish). Struggling, but my head is above water. How about you? Hugs.

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  43. Beautiful photos and what a great event. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: I live in a pretty city, and sometimes we showcase it well.

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  44. It is way better than what we get in Antioch IL. We get a cheesy carnival and the Taste of Antioch. Which is basically a big BBQ and drunk fest. We aren't impressive.

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    1. Sonya Ann: We have had similar festivals. Excuses for over indulgence (and some fairly gross behaviour). Those I avoid like the plague.

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    2. Our Christmas display was creepy and odd but the more I drank, it seemed to get better. Maybe that's the best way to experience Antioch.

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  45. I would love to experience the Enlighten Festival someday :)

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist: Do you think that some day you will get to this side of the world?

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  46. We have nothing like this at all, so I enjoyed your photos, although I do agree that last year's was more impressive :) However, still very good!

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    1. jenny_o: It is a relatively recent innovation here too. I am glad that it was introduced, and will be back next year.

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  47. Maybe such things are more for kids, although I’m sure Peggy would like them. I’ve actually never seen anything here that would compare, yet you say you were disappointed. Maybe as time passes, you become more discerning because you’ve seen some really good years.

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    1. Snowbrush: Perhaps it is the inner child in me, but I did enjoy it, despite some disappointment over the National Gallery's display.

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  48. Wow . . . those photos are remarkable!

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    1. Lon Anderson: Thank you. They really didn't do it justice. It was much better 'in the flesh'.

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  49. I love that even though you enjoyed last year's festivities better that you still are glad you attended this year. :) Loved seeing the pictures. The colors are beautiful!! :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: I would be really ungrateful if I couldn't find anything in the festival to enjoy. And I did find quite a lot.

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  50. I would love to see that. Your photos are amazing, and beautiful!

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    1. DeniseinVA: It is a really clever idea, and I am very happy that it has become an annual event.

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  51. Well, the Portrait Gallery doesn't look like a disappointment. It looks so pretty with everything lit up like that. And the color changing trees probably looked really neat in person.
    Comparing your photos of this year and last year's National Gallery, I agree that this year would be considered a big disappointment. Last year's looks so bright and wonderful!

    Thank you for sharing this festival with us. It's like I get to take a trip and see it all! I hope to see some photos of the Parliament House if you're able to attend this weekend. =0)

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    1. 2justByou: Only one disappointment - and rather a lot of colour and excitement. Fingers crossed we do go in tomorrow.

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  52. The wild changing tree colors is my favorite, but I also like your interactive science museum light show.

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    1. Strayer: I really liked the trees too. I suspect you would have a lot of fun at Questacon. Lots of exhibits, and you are encouraged to play with them.

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  53. Although you say last year's displays were better, perhaps they are trying to save a little money this year. It still must cost a small fortune anyway.
    I still enjoyed what you have shown here and I also saw some on the news on TV. Canberra does a wonderful job with every show it puts on and you should be proud of your city.

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    1. Mimsie: I do like my city. And you are right, some things it does extraordinarily well.

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  54. Thanks for sharing photographs of the lights, it's the only way I'd get to see them as I'd rather be sitting in a swamp being nibbled by mossies than visit cities :)

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    1. Kim: Canberra isn't a very citified city. Just as well. I am grateful for the time you spend in swamps though. Very grateful.

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  55. What a fabulous festival! If there were something like that around here, I'd have to go every year, too.

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    1. Susan: I am slowly converting my family too. One of my brothers went for the first time this year, and loved it. I am pretty certain he will line up again next year too.

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  56. How cool! I love the lit-up trees. Yeah, the first picture was disappointing...it was nice, but how can it compare to all that flash?

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    1. Stephanie Faris: The trees were relatively simply, and not technologically difficult - but lovely. As was most of the festival. I have high hopes for this evenings outing too.

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  57. I love looking at arts. These are great photos to look at. :)

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    1. Lux Ganzon: Thank you. I am a bit of an art addict myself.

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  58. Wonderful colors and displays... I do love what is done with lighting on commercial buildings these days! Thanks for pointing out 'weeky' instead of 'weekly' funny how a person can proof something many times and miss things like that! I did change it!

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    1. Madge Bloom: These are all public buildings, and the lighting is temporary - but a treat.

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  59. Thank you for sharing this! i firmly believe that when people work together to make art - especially on such a large scale - it makes any city beautiful! If not the actual art work, the effort! From the photos, the interactive science museum is my favorite, and the color-changing trees are a close second! There is magic here - and every city is better for the people who make the effort to pull together such exhibits!

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    1. daisyfae: It is an incredible annual festival. I love it, and applaud the idea and its delivery. And the crowds of people who come to watch and wonder are a testament to its success.

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  60. What a heartwarming display. Your photos are wonderful - So crisp and clear for night time shots of light. Well done!

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    1. Susan F.: It is an inspired festival. And a great deal less commercial than many which I appreciate. So, judging by the crowds do a lot of other people.

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  61. I want to experience the Enlighten Festival :) nice pics

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    1. Qzoke Wordpress Tips and Tricks: It is a truly wonderful festival. Having discovered it, we make a point of going every year. At least twice.

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  62. You have all of these things and people say it's dull? I'm a bit confused now.

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    1. Riot Kitty: It is a planned city. A relatively young city. The seat of Government - and full of public (civil) servants. So yes, people say it is dull. I don't agree with them - but don't like crowds so I don't argue.

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