Fire dancers, food trucks and local bands created a magical atmosphere topped off with hundreds of glowing lanterns released at the end of the evening.
A light-up-your-hat competition was hugely popular, entries ranging from sisters joined by their hats to an entire baby-shark family.
Fire dancers astonished the crowd as they skipped on flaming ropes and twirled burning batons. Thomas the Tank Engine was there, courtesy of the Cromwell Lions Club, and a huge array of international food was available from the food trucks, a cheeky mulled wine on offer too.
Event co-ordinator Anthea Lawrence said it was an exciting opportunity for young musicians 45South, Mistep and ReSounding to perform.
The breathtaking lantern launch at the end of the evening had the whole town gazing skyward as hundreds of gently glowing orbs drifted upward.
Cromwell Promotions marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said some people inscribed their lanterns with the names of lost loved ones or with wishes and prayers, making it an emotional event as well as a visual one.
Shifting the event to the rose garden had allowed greater creativity and was a wonderful way to use the park, she said.
