City of Lights returns to Truro

The City of Lights procession in 2008

The City of Lights has lit up the city of Truro since 1996. It's now an annual event involving schools, and artists.

Not only will there be the procession but also a mixture of music to accompany the massive lanterns through the Truro.

The event is timed to coincide with the city's Christmas Lights switch-on. It all gets underway on Wednesday 18 November 2009.

Late night shopping starts from Wednesday 25 November in Truro.

City of Lights is a non-profit making project led by a voluntary group of artists, organisations and freelance practitioners.

Some of the parties involved include: The Works Dance & Theatre Cornwall, Kernow Education Arts Partnership, Truro School of Samba, Cornwall Music Service, Truro City Council, Event Cornwall and Devon & Cornwall Police.

Historical roots

The Theme for this year's event is the history of Truro.

Construction update: You can see a gallery of the lantern building process by clicking here

An estimated 20,000 people head in to town for the evening to see the lantern parade The event as a whole costs £16,000 to stage City of Lights is a non-profit making project

The exact locations have yet to be announced but usually begins at 7pm outside the TA Centre in Moresk Road, then going through:

St Clement Street, Union Street, Castle Street, River Street, St Nicholas Street, Princes Street and Green Street ending in Boscawen street.

The lantern parade will finish in Boscawen Street where the Christmas lights will be switched on by a special lantern as part of a spectacular switch-on ceremony.

The Phoenix Wharf lantern rises

This year BBC Cornwall has teamed up with local artist Tony Crosby to produce an entry for this years historical themed parade.

The lanterns that are being entered in the City of Lights 2009 parade will each have a theme connected to the story of Truro's past.

Staff from BBC Cornwall will be helping Tony at the special lantern workshop in Truro to complete the lantern in time for the City of Lights Parade on Wednesday 18 November.

The lanterns are constructed with many hours spent twisting willow into intricate shapes that will act as a skeleton for the float. The frame is then covered in tissue paper which can then be illuminated on the night.

Reflecting on the impact of the parade, event organiser Antony Crosby said: "What we try to do in Truro is to show a lead on the way that you can make an outdoor celebration that's about where you live and amongst your community.

"That's really at the heart of it and something that people really pick up on. From the city of lights and other lantern events this is now cascading across Cornwall, there's probably an event near you and if there isn't why don't you start one?"