Another winter lighty event. This time, Northern Lights in Heaton Park.
It had been raining for the week before it, so we were expecting it to be a muddy mess. When we arrived, we were greeted by a metal plate car park, which was nice. The walk to the start round the edge of the car park was equally well protected with that hexagonal matting, so muddy boots were not required.
In the same way as the other events like this that we've been to, it is difficult to capture the magic, especially on a mobile phone, so there are only a few pictures. But if you like a lit-up winter walk, I recommend visiting. It was running until 31st December. Here's the Northern Lights website.
I enjoyed the laser projection side walk. It's a bunch of projectors up in the trees, with green beams cascading round the wooded glade and some smoke machines dotted about. It looks and feels spectacular when you're walking round.
The paths in the park are all standard park paths, and in parts between the scenes there are rainbow LED washes which make you feel like you're in the Wizard of Oz.
There are a couple of huge scenery-based LED shows. They reminded me of the Mycelium Drive from Star Trek: Discovery. Very swoopy and calming. Classic case of the photo not doing it justice. You have to go and experience it.
More mushrooms, this time little glass ones. Same effect though: colourful LEDs at the base, all programmed to sweep between colours, LED uplighters round a few trees and tadaa, a splendid scene.
My favourite scene was at the start and was a small glade of trees all wrapped with breathing LEDs. I interpreted it as a visualisation of the tree drawing up nutrients from the soil. I assume this was why I enjoyed it so much. Art though, doesn't need a reason; it was just cool.
Thoughts
We all enjoyed the event. Half way round the trail there is a seating area with a bar, some loos, hot chocolate stalls and fire pits for roasting marshmallows. It amazed me how many people have got no idea how to toast a marshmallow. There is a correct way. It is my way, and putting it in a flame until it sets on fire is not the correct way.
There are four slots: Super Off Peak, Off Peak, Standard and Peak. I do not remember what our slot was classed as. It was Sunday night, and it was not mega busy. The site is big enough to eat a decent size crowd, and there is enough space between installations to give you plenty of time to wander about as you feel.
