The town centre “lit up like a Christmas tree” for the annual Te Anau Mid Winter Illumination.
The annual Te Anau Winter Illumination festival lit up the main street of Te Anau mid-year – with a little help from Ray White Te Anau.
Around 200 people attended this year’s Illumination Festival to witness the main street festooned with beautiful lights, just like an English Christmas… The event sees the community of Te Anau decorate their houses, shops and streets with lights. This year Ray White Te Anau took out the award for the best shop display – which featured an illuminated Ray White yellow door, which the little kids loved – many of whom walked up the illuminated garden path to pose for photos with the door.
With a family focus, the event attracts locals and visitors alike, many of whom have glow sticks and dress up for the festivities. While there was no countdown to turn on the town lights this year, the crowd was treated to the usual delightful light displays along the main street shops as they were led on foot, by a giant glowworm, to the Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas where visitors were treated to a fire show with a buffet dinner event also on offer.
Designed to break up the dark winter and spread a little winter cheer the Illumination Festival also celebrates Te Anau’s history – as in July 1958 Te Anau residents were first able to turn on electric lights in the town. At the time an Illumination Ball was held, and now Te Anau marks the occasion with the ceremonial Illumination of the town centre, plus a range of events held over the week which has included: an illuminated bike ride, night nature walk led by the Department of Conservation, poets night and much more.
“We love supporting local events like this where everyone can enjoy the entertainment, festivities and simply come together as a community. With nearly 50% of houses in our area owned as holiday homes by out-of-towners, it’s a great event to bring locals together and spread some cheer in a particularly cold and quiet time for our town”. Tania Hefford, Business Owner and Salesperson of Ray White Te Anau.
Jane Meyer, Ray White New Zealand ‘s Regional Manager for the South Island added, “Don and Tania have over the past 18 months as the new Business Owners of Ray White Te Anau have made a positive mark in the community, and this event to light a dark winter is synonymous with their personality. They have taken our Ray White Te Anau office to become one of our Regional Success’s, we are proud to have them as part of the Ray White Family and in particular the South Island”.
Known as a gateway to the Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, Te Anau has a resident population of just over 2,500 people – with tourism and farming the town’s predominant economic activities. Joining the Ray White Group in December 2012, the successful Ray White Te Anau team are now led by Business Owners Don McFarlane and Tania Hefford. The office is located at 94 Town Centre, Te Anau.