LIHU‘E — The 16th Annual Festival of Lights at the historic County Building will be available for public viewing from Dec. 7 through the holidays, said Elizabeth Freeman, art director and producer of the Festival of Lights. People are able
LIHU‘E — The 16th Annual Festival of Lights at the historic County Building will be available for public viewing from Dec. 7 through the holidays, said Elizabeth Freeman, art director and producer of the Festival of Lights.
People are able to experience the anticipation and excitement leading to the opening and lighting of the displays during the opening ceremonies, which start at 6 p.m. Friday.
“It’s a bit chilly in the North Pole for hula, so we are treating Santa to a hula of his favorite song — ‘Jingle Bells,’” Freeman says in a Festival release. “Keiki from Halau Ka Lei Kukui Hi‘ilani under the direction of Kumu Lei Hi‘ilani Kirkpatrick will perform the hula while the Kaua‘i Chorale performs the familiar Christmas carol in both English and Hawaiian.”
Following the performance, the keiki will help Santa to the countdown, opening the display to the public until 8 p.m.
“The 16th Annual Festival of Lights at the historic County Building is a holiday celebration created by the community to continue a local tradition while preserving the collection of Christmas Folk Art created by the late Aunty Josie Chansky,” Freeman says in the release. “Outside, dazzling lights illuminate the historic County Building park while inside, Santa’s Gone Kauaian!”
Christmas with unique Kaua‘i touches — such as sparkling rainbows, waterfalls, shave ice and dolphins cavort — amidst the twinkling lobby area.
Contributed by Kaua‘i artisans, spectators can browse through a number of ornaments and displays including the Surfing Santas, the SPAM Can Tree, the Hula Bear Tree, the Kilauea Lighthouse Tree and the Peacock Tree.
A local saying, “If can, can,” takes on a new meaning for 2012 with the “If Can, Can” tree with every ornament created from colorful aluminum cans, Freeman said.
This tree takes the place of the former tree where ornaments were created using plastic water bottles.
These trees punctuate the original Josie Chansky creations, including a Christmas tree created with 7,500 green toothpicks.
The Festival of Lights interior display is open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with Santa and Mrs. Claus on hand to greet people through Christmas Eve.
Admission to the Festival of Lights is free.
The lights outside the historic County Building and park will be on each evening through New Year’s Day.
Following the opening ceremony on Dec. 7, Mary Lardizabal and the award-winning Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band will perform on Dec. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Visit www.kauaifestivaloflights.com, call Freeman at 639-8564 or email friends@thefestivaloflights.info for more information.
