Last month, the Luma Charitable Trust cancelled this year’s Queenstown Gardens spectacular, planned for Queen’s Birthday weekend, because of the uncertainty and disruption caused by Covid.
But chairman Duncan Forsyth said thanks to support from funders they were still going to bring the magic to the Queenstown CBD, with a new twist on Lumify.
"We’ve been beavering away in the background to come up with some ideas.
"We still really want to deliver for our community by supporting businesses, residents and visitors during what is a hard time for everyone."
Lumify was born in 2020 when the first nationwide lockdown put paid to the annual event.
Then, residents and businesses were encouraged to light up their homes for the long weekend, enabling people to go for evening strolls in their bubbles and be entertained.
This year, it is coming back, with a focus on Queenstown’s CBD and a desire to help stimulate the hard-hit hospitality sector.
Mr Forsyth said Lumify Laneways would bring a "touch of light" to Cow Lane, Searle Lane and Church Lane, while Lumify Downtown would focus on other areas of the town centre and waterfront.
"Lumify is all about community interaction and engagement, and we hope locals will get behind this initiative," Mr Forsyth said.
"We want to bring a festival-like atmosphere to the town centre, but in a safe way.
"Entice people to come into town and support our local hospo scene, which has had it tough.
"Stop in at the cafes, pop into the pub for a pint or grab a bite to eat before coming to see our installations."
Mr Forsyth said the artists would light up building facades, do "projection mapping", add festoon lighting and set up mini pop-up events.
Street performers and dance troupes were also getting involved.
Additionally, the Luma crew had been working with schools and the wider community — the resulting school projects will be displayed in Queenstown and Wanaka.
Mr Forsyth hoped residents and businesses supported the idea and lit up their shopfronts, houses, driveways and cars again.
"This is about grassroots contribution, and we’re pretty excited about what our community can do when given the challenge".
He also hoped some of the creative installations would remain in situ after the long weekend.
