When I’ve travelled around the world, or even interstate, one of the more endearing features I’ve seen in towns and big cities alike, is the presence of fairy lights, and festoon lighting, creating a warm glow, wrapped around venues, and amongst tree lined streets. It was actually one of my favourite things in Chicago, so when Adelaide introduced them on North Terrace and Rundle Street, it made me happy – both because I could enjoy them in my hometown, but also because others visiting Adelaide could also bask in their beauty & ambiance.
That evening beauty is set to expand now, with plans for Hutt Street revealing that the iconic stretch of the city will also be lit up.
Shopfronts along the street will be lit up with decorative fairy lights as the City of Adelaide supports Hutt Street traders to welcome people back to the area.
The lights will be installed between the 27 and 29 May under awnings and around facades of businesses along the street, which is perfect timing when you consider the newly announced dates for Stage 2 of SA’s COVID-19 restrictions easing. From June 1st, many businesses will be reopening their doors and welcoming the public back.
The fairy lights are solar powered and will emit a warm white light, which will add sparkle and atmosphere as Adelaide heads into the colder months.
This installation represents the first stage of a broader lighting project for Hutt Street which will be rolled out in coming months, including the installation of strands of more fairy lights strung up in the trees along the median strip.
Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor said that the atmospheric lighting would create a welcoming ambience along the street.
“We want to let people know that we’re opening up for business and give them a warm welcome back into the City of Adelaide.
“The last few months have been challenging for the people of our city, and our businesses in particular, with so much being put on hold due to COVID-19.
“Now that restrictions are slowly being eased, we want to provide practical support and welcome the community back to the precinct. These pretty lights are a simple idea that will brighten the winter months and entice people to visit the area, reigniting one of our city’s main streets.”
This project is part of the City of Adelaide’s Recover + Reimagine program, a new online idea-sharing platform to capture community ideas, big or small, short and long term, about how Adelaide could look as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Colette Slight from the Hutt Street Traders Association said, “all the traders I’ve spoken to are really pleased about the installation of the lights and also happy that they’re solar powered.
“The lights will definitely cheer the street up for people who are out and about now it’s getting darker earlier.
“Hutt Street will really benefit from this input from the City of Adelaide and this first stage of the lighting project in the precinct.”
The new Recover + Reimaging portal is now open for community members to share their ideas. Ideas will be collected up until Wednesday 8 July. Each idea to be investigated by Council will be based on the criteria of impact, cost and time.
To learn more and to share your idea, visit: www.cityofadelaide.com.au/reimagine
