Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 5 March 2017

Sunday Selections #317

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  A sneak preview of Enlighten 2017.  This festival has become a must see event since we first went a few years ago.  The program changes so we usually try and go twice.  Himself's sister will arrive next week and we will take her, but we also went to the opening night on Friday.


As always lots of photos (too many?) follow and will embiggen if clicked on. We arrived early (to get a convenient park) and wandered to the far end of the Parliamentary Triangle.   I will save the illuminated buildings for the final Enlighten post, but there was lots more to see.





This drummer was having an amazing workout.  He had an admirable back and butt to show for it too.










I smiled at the lucky accident which put this young woman 'in' a schooner of beer.




I wasn't entirely comfortable with this pseudo-religious exhibit.  The tallest cleric was dangling a basket (containing paper and pens) on a rod and wire to the assembled crowd.  We were exorted to 'gather wishes in it' or alternatively to write it down and let it go.  The religious link was unnecessary I thought - but that is from my perspective.  I didn't hear any murmurs of dissent from the crowd.

The next one, and the last I will show for today, I loved.  Coloured butterflies.  A sea of them.






  
Do you wonder it has become a 'must see' event?  There are other paid events around town, but the free ones give us more than enough to marvel at... 

164 comments:

  1. Wonderful indeed. I also love those pretty butterflies, and I look forward to seeing more of this lovely event. I think I've been with you in previous years, but my memory is beginning to get a little dicey. :-)

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    1. DJan: You have indeed been to Enlighten in other years.

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  2. Thank you.So far, I think the best is that gantry with all the fluoro tubes.But I'll probably change my mind at some point!

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    1. dinahmow: I liked that gantry too. Last year it was filled with chinese lanterns. I love that they change it about.

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  3. The wings are beautiful. What is the giant lit up...thing? No idea what to call it. Think the angels are a nice touch. If it changes, be cool to see your photos from the second time you go.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Giant lit up thing? You lost me. And there will be more photos. Many more.

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  4. you have the most wonderful festivals in your area, what a delight to see, especially at night with all the dark space to enliven the lights.

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    1. Linda Starr: We are in festival season here at the moment. The balloons are next. Joy and bliss.

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  5. It seems like it was only yesterday since last year's colourful, fun event! Let's hope your cooler temperatures stick around for the duration and thereafter!

    Have a great week, EC...cuddles to Jazz. I hope he's in a better mood! :)

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    1. Lee: The year(s) have been whizzing by haven't they? Sadly Jazz will not be a happy chappy when our visitor arrives. And I will pay for his unease.

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  6. the festival was nice and I would like yto take part init

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    1. Gosia k: There were lots of happy people wandering around. More photos to come.

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  7. Wish we had something like this. Looks wonderful.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: It is a treat. Some year we will go to the Botanic Gardens when they are illuminated for this festival.

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  8. If only it weren't too far away for me!!

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    1. fishducky: It would be a very long trip for you. Which is a shame.

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  9. Multi-colourful EC, then you know them.

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  10. Wow that is beautiful. Quite the contrast to our event today, Exceptional Foundation's 18th Annual Chili Cookoff. You had beautiful lights, and a lovely peaceful experience. We had C/W (really loud) music, mobs of people, 150 chili contestants and heartburn!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: Some of the music was very loud (but not C/W), but it was beautiful. The crowd was happy too. We didn't try the noodle markets - but some who did last year got food poisoning.

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  11. That really is a must-see event.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: Yup. And most of it is free.

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    2. The Happy Whisk: Which is amazing. Not many cities put on big free events these days.

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  12. You also have a shot that looks like a lighted dragon (?) is about to swallow a young boy. And another where I thought the youngsters were reaching out to touch the dragon's feathers.
    The butterflies are wonderful. I'm looking forward to the lighted buildings, again.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I always think of those lions as dragons too. And loved them. And the curiosity of the children.

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  13. Such beautiful photos. Love the butterflies. It must be a breathtaking event in person.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I don't do crowds well but this even (and the balloon spectacular) are ones I will always go to. And marvel.

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  14. How cool is that??! Amazing light show!

    Joanne, it is not a dragon. For some reason unknown to me, it is a lion.

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    1. Susan Kane: Variations of this event are now being held in a lot of our cities. And I am very glad to hear it.

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  15. Wow, loved this post, especially the butterflies. Have you more photos? You are very fortunate to have this.

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    1. e: Many more photos. I took close to 200 (though I deleted quite a few). It is a wonderful event isn't it? Ten days of colour and whimsy.

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  16. I am always envious of the wonderful festivals you have. One of the good points about living in a big city, I suppose. The butterflies are my favourites from this group - looking forward to the next!

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    1. Alexia: As cities go, ours is small but yes, we do have some wonderful festivals. We first saw the butterflies before they were illuminated - and didn't realise just how magical they would be.

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  17. The colours, the lights! Fun

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    1. Marie Smith: Fun for all ages - and I firmly believe that there is not enough fun in the world.

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  18. It's all so colourful:)
    I love the dragon and the butterflies and that sunset is just beautiful.
    I thought the angels might be guardian angels.

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    1. River: It is indeed colourful. And delightful. I could cope with the angels as guardian angels but the tall figure is a cleric of some sort...

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  19. Oh, the dragon is a lion, but still lovely.

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    1. River: Dragon/lion - whatever they were they were lovely.

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  20. Thank you so much for granting us an inkling of this event

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    1. Martin Kloess: I am glad you liked it. There is more to come. At least one, and perhaps two posts.

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  21. very pretty!

    http://lucyandtherunaways.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Natalie Leung: Welcome and thank you. We thought is was lovely.

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  22. These pictures are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

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    1. Birdie: There will be more photos from here. Probably a lot more.
      How are you? Calmer and happier? I do hope so. Hugs.

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  23. Wow, that looks terrific and you did so well with the camera. The butterflies get my vote. I see you still managed to get a sunset photo to slip into this post.

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    1. Andrew: Of course I squeezed a 'rare' sunset picture in.

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  24. Beautiful sights! I would like to see this in person; I love twilight time and this festival seems to make good use of it. And you have caught a bird - quite a large one - in your sunset photo! I am looking forward to more pictures. There cannot be too many for me.

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    1. jenny_o: I wondered whether anyone would spot the bird - which may be a bat. I would really love to share this in person with rather a lot of my friends in the blogosphere. It is a delightful outing.

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  25. The woman in the beer was priceless! And, no, you can never have too many pictures. Yours are gorgeous, as always. I love those fuzzy things - whatever they are - in the first three shots. As for the clerics/angels... maybe they should have stuck with fairies instead.

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    1. River Fairchild: I hadn't realised I had placed that woman in the beer until I got home. And laughed. I loved the fuzzy things too, and am looking forward to seeing new delights next week.

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  26. What a wonderful excitingg anad colourful event to go and see and I look forward to seeing more shots.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: It is wonderful. It is colourful. It is exciting - and you will see more of it. Probably a lot more.

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  27. Wonderful photos. The festival looks like so much fun, so much colour.

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    1. CountryMum: It is a joy. Some year perhaps you could get here for it.

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  28. A most colorful and wonderful journey in photos. Looks like a wonderful festival. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Rasma Raisers: I am more than happy to share, and glad you liked it.

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  29. Lovely photos. The festival looks very wonderful and all things are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. orvokki: We live in a wonderfully varied world don't we?

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  30. Dear EC
    What an amazing event, which your photos captured so well. It would be lovely to share this with you in person, but via your blog is the next best thing.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: As I said in response to another comment, I would really love it if rather a lot of bloggers could be here in person to share the magic.

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  31. The clerics with the wish basket remind me of Mardi Gras and appear to have the same satirical feel?

    For some reason, I embiggened the photo of the drummer.

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    1. kylie: That drummer was incredibly energetic. And worth embiggening.
      I am still fence sitting about the cleric and the wish basket. Not comfortable with it. And for a non-religious person it strikes me as a tad sacrilegious...

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  32. Hi EC - good to see you back - and thanks for these wonderful Enlighten photos ... I wonder if there was an explanation for the that religious display? I'm not sure I'm happy with it either. It's amazing what creativity and ideas people come up with - can understand you wanting to make two visits ... enjoy your SILs visit this coming week - cheers Hilary

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    1. Meant to add ... stunning sunset in the middle of all your Enlighten photos! Lovely photo ... cheers Hilary

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    2. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I am glad that someone else was discomforted by that display. And of course I included a sunset - nature rocks Enlighten each and every day.

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  33. I think I like the red lighting on the bridge best.

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    1. J Cosmo Newbery: It changed too. I have that shot in blue and green as well.

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  34. I loved the composition of the woman in the glass of beer. Genius! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: That was a lucky shot - but still makes me smile.

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  35. I would love to have gone to this festival. It took imagination. I also love the fact that the place where you love offers quality experiences available to everyone.

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    1. Rick Watson: There is a heap of imagination (and work) in the festival and I am super impressed that most of it is free and available for all to enjoy.

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  36. There is a lot of interesting things there. Many pretty lights

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    1. Kim@stuffcould...: I do love a light display...

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  37. Wonderful pictures. Your sister-in-law is going to love it. It's amazing that this festival is free. There's nothing like that for free in my part of the world.

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    1. Myrna R.: I hope she does love it. We are already looking forward to our return visit.

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  38. You make me want to move next door to you or at least visit. Nothing like your adventures are near me and I always love seeing what is next:-)

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    1. Granny Annie: My city is widely renowned as being duller than dishwater. Fake news. And I would love you to visit.

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  39. Lovely, lovely photos. I wish we had an Enlighten here! Can't wait to see more :)

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    1. mshatch: Thank you. There will be more. Probably quite a lot more.

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  40. Gorgeous photos of "LIGHT."
    btw, you bring light, Sue! xx

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    1. My Inner Chick: Thank you. Having read your post today I am in awe at the support and hope you family gives to those who need it.

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  41. Summery festival beauty:)
    Thanks for the view from your lens.
    And glad to see you back on the block:)
    Happy change of season,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: Thank you. I am really, really looking forward to Autumn pushing her ugly sister out the door.

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  42. Absolutely beautiful! Definitely not too many photos! I love seeing them all. I would love to attend the event- but alas, it is quite far from my home in the US. :) So many interesting sights and sounds.

    SO happy to have you back in the blogosphere. You were missed!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: Thank you. It is one of the marvels of the blogosphere for me that I can visit places I wouldn't otherwise see. Visit and marvel.

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  43. I don't know how anyone could see any part of this without feeling happily enlivened, as do I. Those butterflies look magestic. Thank you, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I don't usually like crowds (at all). This one is always a happy crowd though - and I didn't see anyone who wasn't having fun. Which is lovely.

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  44. What a brilliant event.
    I loved seeing your photographs, and those butterflies were so colourful to see.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~ Jan: The butterflies are lovely, and I really like the way their colours changed.

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  45. Magnificent! It must be very expensive to put on a show like that every year. They must bring in an audience from far and side.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I suspect it is expensive, but it also gets more people in the city. They made sneaky economies in the past - like not paying the artists who made the images for the buildings (exposure is payment) but that short cut at least has been stopped.

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  46. Wow, beautiful. Did you write down a wish for the basket? The butterflies are my favorite but the trees I like also. The lights look like their nervous systems.

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    1. Strayer: No wishes from me. I liked the butterflies a lot, but the trees and the lion/dragons and the drummer also got me smiling.

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  47. That must have been rather awesome to see in person...love seeing your photos of it..

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It is lovely. And well worth the two visits we make each year.

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  48. Beautiful photos as usual and once again I envy your opportunities. I got to go to a Chili Cook Off this weekend with about 15000 of my new closest friends. Crowds, chili and very loud country/western music. Meanwhile you have lovely lights and visuals for peace and meditation. Yeah we live similar lives!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: 1500 people at a Chili Cook Off? I am not sure how many would go here, but not that many. Mind you there were 1500 people in the Night Noodle Markets attached to Enlighten. Some very long queues - which we avoided.

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  49. some great photos there - I like the gum tree one... and look forward to more from your next visit.

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    1. Anna: They light some of the gum trees up each year, and I look forward to it. The same - and not.

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  50. Great photos, so colourful! that 'young woman in beer' is beyond amazing - totally awardworthy shot!!

    I remember this event from the previous year.

    As always, enjoyed all your photos. And so pleased to be back in this space!

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. I am glad to be back.

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  51. Hello,
    Very impressive pictures. Great with the lights. Wonderful.

    Best regards,
    Marco

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  52. Beautiful photos in this post. I got quite lost in them.

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  53. Wondrous. And the girl in the beer glass...amazing.

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    1. Sandra Cox: That was a very lucky shot wasn't it?

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    2. Kudos to you for catching it.
      You're just that good:)

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  54. Amazing! I would be there, too, if I lived in your corner of the world. Happy to see you back :)

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    1. Carol Kilgore: Thank you. There is more to come too - much more.

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  55. This was quite a visual feast today. I feel as if I visited the event with you. Great pictures, but you always have those.

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    1. cleemckenzie: It was a visual feast to be there too. A little overwhelming, but wonderful.

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  56. So many pretty lights!!! I loved every picture.

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    1. Libby Heily Author: Welcome and thank you. We love this festival. And the next one - which is balloons. Big balloons. Marvellous balloons.

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  57. I love to watch drummers - they get soooo lost in their music, it takes so much energy! Your festival looks like a lot of fun - Makes you thankful for electricity....

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    1. Molly Bon: He really was lost in the music. And energetic. I am often grateful for electricity. I would have made a woeful pioneer. I like things like flushing toilets. And hot water on tap. And being able to read at night. And light displays.

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  58. So cool! Thanks for sharing. Definitely looks like a fun adventure :o)

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  59. Those first two floats just take my breath away.

    Hope you're having a colorful day.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: We are going back again on Friday with himself's sister. There will be new exhibits and we are both looking forward to it.

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  60. How fantastic to see these delightful scenes. Loved your photos.

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  61. What a great event! This was fun to experience! I really like the idea of a wish collector!

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    1. Ginger Dawn Harman: I think I would rather have control of my own wishes. It is a great event though.

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  62. Goodness your photos are perfect to bring the magic of somewhat being there, (well a girl can dream right). I spotted that wonderful accident right off, it really makes the photo. A penny for her thoughts too. Your butterflies at the end are wonderful. What great lighting throughout.

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    1. Karen S.: The organisers do a wonderful job. And I am grateful.

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  63. First: Gods, these are gorgeous.
    Second: It's good to have you back. :)

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    1. Robert Bennett: Thank you. It is good to be back.

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  64. So much colour....so much fun. Canberra does put on some wonderful shows.

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    1. Mimsie: It does. Sadly most people think of us in connection with the political show. Which is not nearly as attractive.

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  65. Note to self: Add drums to workout:)

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  66. That must be a sight to behold in person! Love that you share your images of it with us.

    The butterflies are marvelous. Just lovely.

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    1. Lynn: It is a wonderful spectacle, and amazing to see.

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  67. That photo of the girl in the beer glass is amazing!

    I'm glad you had such a good time checking out that guys butt. Ha!
    I love all the photos, the whole event looks great.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: Of course I checked out his back and butt. I am old, but not dead.

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  68. I love that picture of the woman in the schooner. It's so cool.

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  69. All those lights looking freaking rad! I'd love to play around there.

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    1. John Wiswell: And I would love it if you could.

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  70. I just love call the color and light! You made me realize how much I am craving color in my life at this moment! We don't have anything like this festival, but maybe I need to visit an art museum or something! Your photos are fantastic! Thank you for visiting my Quiet Country House blog. So glad I returned the visit!

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    1. Marcie: Colour and light are wonderful aren't they? I am so glad you enjoyed the post - and hope you do get to a museum - somewhere full of colour anyway.

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  71. The natural sky photo is a stand alone without any lights or glitter required isn't it?
    YOU have a colorful day, my friend.

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    1. Sandra Cox: The natural sky is a joy. Daily. We are heading back to Enlighten this evening, so colour is assured. I hope you have a good one too.

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  72. No, NOT too many pictures! They're all fabulous, and it's easy to see why this is a must-see event for you. It would be for me, too. The Chamber of Commerce should hire you to promote tourism. :)

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    1. Susan: We went back last night with himself's sister. More fabulosity. Part of me is happy that my city is widely reviled as boring. It keeps the crowds down.

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  73. Gosh, it looks wonderful! Wish I could join you. There are similar festivals in Toronto but I have never been.... I should really try to go but I need a companion to go with, it's no fun on your own!

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    1. Shammickite: We missed the first one or two here, but are converts. I hope you can find someone to share the wonder with you in Toronto.

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  74. This event was awesome! And free? Double awesome;)
    Have a great weekend, EC:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: It has been a frantically busy weekend - but full of colour. And joy.

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  75. This is such a wonderful event - I would go there, too, if it were here. I love the butterflies, what a beautiful idea.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Aren't they beautiful? I fell in love with them and our second visit loved them just as much. The skinny one's sister did too.

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  76. Never too many no! I'm laughing at you looking at that guy's tight bum and muscle-ripped back hehehe, and why not say I? Love the woman trapped in beer, I've been trapped in beer myself many times in the past, but never looked so elegant. Yes, I'm with you on the religious oddity, very strange, and love the dragons and butterflies too. Marvellous display! X

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    1. All Consuming: Of course I looked. And appreciated. Beer on the other hand I have never liked. I am glad to hear that you too had problems with the religious exhibit. When we went back the second time it wasn't there, and I wasn't sorry.

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