Wingham is set to light up with the glow of lanterns and the town’s own version of Vivid Sydney on Saturday, June 23.
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The Manning River Turtle Conservation Group’s inaugural Winter Solstice Lantern Walk was such a success last year that it is now an annual event.
The event starts with a lantern making workshop at 2pm at the Wingham Brush Nature Reserve, with Wingham Rotary Club providing a sausage sizzle to keep bellies full and warm.
The walk’s official opening will begin at 4.30pm. Andrew Steed from the NSW Office of Health and Environment in Coffs Harbour will present a talk on what is happening with research of the endangered Manning River Helmeted Turtle.
Prizes for the Manning River Turtle colouring in and art competition (sponsored by the Wingham Chamber of Commerce) will be presented during the opening.
The walk will wind its way through Wingham Brush, through Central Park and down Isabella Street to visit the residents of Whiddon Wingham (Wingham Court), and return back up Isabella Street.
A highlight of this year’s lantern walk will be a giant turtle lantern, created and constructed for the community by Rachel Piercy and Jane Hosking, director and assistant director of Manning Regional Art Gallery. Rachel and Jane are inviting the community to help finish and decorate the giant lantern at Random Acts of Art in Central Park, Wingham, on the Saturday.
Random Acts of Art will continue into the night, with ‘Wingham Aglow’ – Wingham’s own version of Vivid. Video projectionist Mark Anning will be projecting Buster Keaton’s Cops on the wall of the police station and old courthouse, with other short films being projected onto the Wingham School of Arts building and the post office.
Bring your own lantern to the walk, or make one at the lantern making workshop free of charge. A limited supply of pre-made lanterns and lights will be available, so it will be a case of first in gets the lanterns.
In the interests of safety the Manning River Turtle Conservation Group ask that there be no naked flames and they encourage everyone to use LED lights, candles or torches.
The group will also be holding a stall at the Envirofair on June 9 at Taree Park, where you can make your own lantern (with the group’s help) for a small donation.
The Manning River Turtle Conservation Group is auspiced by Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services.
The Wingham Winter Solstice Lantern Walk and Random Acts of Art are a result of place activation by the Wingham Chamber of Commerce.