The first recorded instance of electric lights being used to embellish a Christmas tree can be credited to Edward H. Johnson. According to Wikipedia, Johnson – VP of the Edison Electric Light Company (yes, that Edison) – had 80 walnut-sized blue and white bulbs created, which he hand-wired to a tree and unveiled in his Fifth Avenue home in New York City on the eve of December 22, 1882.
Jaded as they were (and still are), New York newspapers deemed the event a publicity stunt and dismissed it outright, but a Detroit reporter saw the appeal and published a story that would christen Johnson as the father of our modern fairy-light obsession.
Fast-forward 134 years, and our city is a-twinkle with the best of them. Not only is Vancouver home to elaborate front-lawn homages, illuminated botanical gardens and the self-proclaimed largest Christmas light maze in the world, but it also lays claim to Lumiere – the West End’s signature light-art extravaganza.
Now in its third year, the light festival places light-art installations throughout the West End, bringing cheer to our dark, dreary winters.
Last year was the first time the festival installed a solid piece of art – Morton Park’s exceedingly popular ‘Luna’ the Lumiere whale sculpture, by MK Illumination. This year, not only is Luna returning for her extended stay (she will be glowing in English Bay for two and a half months again), but the festival has expanded with three new interactive light installations, curated by the Burrard Arts Foundation, in Jim Deva Plaza.
“We are thrilled to add the Jim Deva Plaza as a major venue for Lumiere this year,” said Stephen Regan, executive director of the West End BIA, in a press release. “Building on the popularity of MK Illumination’s ‘Luna’ Whale at English Bay, we now have two key sites in the West End that will showcase light and art and bring our community together.”
The festival unveiling takes place December 3, with Luna and one of the Jim Deva features slated to stay lit throughout the winter. The other two installations will remain in place for approximately 10 days after launch, depending on demand.
Lumiere is also teaming up with Celebrities Nightclub for a light-inspired takeover of their popular #CelebsTuesday on Dec. 6.
For more information, head to WestEndBIA.com/lumiere
