Shepparton shines as Illuminate draws thousands

By Darren Linton and Geoff Adams

Mar 27, 2022

Swanning in: The Swan Sisters left a few children open-mouthed when they glided past on the Victoria Park Lake foreshore on Friday night.

In a prelude to the first ever White Night event in Shepparton, the Victoria Park Lake precinct was positively glowing on Friday and Saturday nights.

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Clare Bowditch headlined the entertainment on the Illuminate stage on Friday night while Christine Anu was the star attraction on Saturday night.

Illuminate, which was part of the Shepparton Festival, included light installations throughout the precinct with the lake, trees and the sky lit up.

Illuminated: Gum trees became colourful sculptures.

Illuminate performances roamed around the precinct including the comedic pranksters The Skullies and Swan Sisters, while the Robot Garden installation attracted plenty of admirers.

The Swan Sisters were on their first outing since COVID-19 restrictions had loosened up.

The costumes were worn by professional dancers, silently acting in unison on modified segways, recalling European myths about swan sisters, one of which loses its feathered cloak.

Joe Blanck, from A Blanck Canvas in Melbourne, came up with the concept.

On song: Illuminate performer Clare Bowditch on Friday night.

Thousands of people packed into the main stage area for the concert which also included performances by Drew Walker, Deans of Soul and Eliott.

Spectacular: Illuminated 'water lilies' floating on the lake at Illuminate on Friday night.

As part of the event, competitors in the urban senior, rural junior and senior categories of the State Firefighting Championships being held in City of Greater Shepparton conducted a torchlight procession along Wyndham St to the Shepparton Art Museum precinct.

Shepparton is to host a White Night event later this year with the projections on buildings and landmarks throughout the city expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors.