Our incredible and FREE Illuminate event involving lanterns, performers, projections, spectacular fire garden and more is returning to Gainsborough once again!
Friday 21st February 2025
- 6pm
: Illuminate Lantern Parade starts on Lord Street, with G Town Dance Crew and Fire Funk Samba Band leading the parade in a spectacular illuminated procession – don’t forget to bring any lanterns or light up badges that you have created! - 6pm – 8pm: ‘Postcards from Gainsborough’ exhibition on display created by our talented local school children, with a projection film in the Great Hall inside Gainsborough Old Hall. GTown Dance Crew and Fire Funk Samba band will also be performing outside the Old Hall, so don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes.
- 6:30pm – 8pm: Fire Garden at All Saints’ Church, Gainsborough will be illuminated with fire sculptures and performers guaranteed to leave you speechless. Don’t forget to go inside the church to see the beautiful lanterns on display.
: Illuminate Lantern Parade starts on Lord Street, with G Town Dance Crew and Fire Funk Samba Band leading the parade in a spectacular illuminated procession – don’t forget to bring any lanterns or light up badges that you have created!This year’s event theme is ‘Postcards from Gainsborough’, where postcards that have been produced by local school children will be projected inside Gainsborough Old Hall for all to enjoy (6pm – 8pm)
Taylor Made Arts worked with 12 talented young people in Gainsborough to create an inspiring animation that brings the town’s rich history to life. Based at the Gainsborough Heritage Centre, young people were involved in every stage of the process—from researching and scripting to storyboarding, recording voiceovers, and illustrating the final film.
The animation takes the audience on a journey through Gainsborough’s past, from the Iron Age to 2020, showcasing key moments in the town’s history.
Funded by the Future of the Past initiative with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and West Lindsey District Council this project helped young people gain new skills, build confidence, and connect with their local heritage.
The project was developed by Taylor Made Arts, a local arts organisation passionate about creative community projects.
Electric Egg have been working with schools local to Gainsborough to create what will be the projections inside Gainsborough Old Hall. The theme, “Postcards of Gainsborough”, blends creativity and history through community engagement. This project introduced schoolchildren to the fascinating Victorian photographic technique of cyanotypes. It not only allowed the children to connect with their town’s rich heritage but also gave them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about Gainsborough in a creative and meaningful way.
We began the project by delivering a series of workshops in each of the three schools. During these sessions, we introduced the children to the cyanotype process, first developed in the 19th century, where ultraviolet light is used to produce blueprints. The children were shown how to create cyanotype stamps, using imagery that reflects the town’s past.
In addition, they wrote their own postcards, sharing personal thoughts, memories, and emotions about the town. These postcards and cyanotype stamps were used as inspiration for an animated projection, that brought the children’s visions and words to life using Gainsborough Old Hall’s historic banqueting hall as a projection canvas. This immersive moving-image installation, which was accompanied with a synchronised sound and light installation, featured the children’s designs alongside excerpts from the postcards. The resulting work which allows the audience to see Gainsborough through the eyes of some of it’s youngest residents, celebrates the community and sense of belonging that the children have in their town.
Neil Baker at Electric Egg said: “It was a rewarding experience to share our passion for photography and art with the children while helping them engage with their town’s history in a personal and creative way. The project empowered the children to become active participants in celebrating and shaping the identity of Gainsborough. We look forward to seeing how their artistic expressions will continue to inspire future generations, and also cause older members of the community to reflect on their own connection with their place.”
With special thanks to our Creative Team:
- Electric Egg & Peachy Events – projection, cyanotypes & exhibition
- Curiosity Creators & Rachel Hodgson – costumes
- Beth Williams & Asher Williams – choreography
- Lumo Workshop – lanterns
- The Fyr Garden, JRH Services & Q Lights – fire garden
- Chris Lewis Jones & Fire Funk Samba
And to our partners & supporters:
- Gainsborough Old Hall & English Heritage
- All Saints’ Parish Church
- Gainsborough Library
- Gainsborough Town Council
- Lincolnshire County Council & LCC’s National Portfolio Organisation
- SoundLincs, Taylor Made Arts & The Future of the Past project
- Vyshyvanka Hub & X-Church
- GAPA
- G Town Dance Crew
- Corringham Primary School
- White’s Wood Academy
- Frances Olive Anderson CofE Primary School
- Benjamin Adlard’s Primary School
- St George’s Primary School
- Aegir Academy
- Castle Wood Academy
- Gainsborough Parish CofE Primary School
During our creative workshops in the locations listed above, lanterns and costumes themed around local folktales were created including boats, dragons, boggarts, unicorns, Tudor houses, and winged creatures. All of these marvellous creations will be on display at our Illuminate event.
PAST PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
There were also workshops available to join us in the week prior to the event:
Lantern Making Workshop
Saturday 15th February 10am – 2pm
Gainsborough Old Hall
Get ready for our Illuminate Event by joining us at our lantern making workshop to decorate your own lantern and showcase it at our Illuminate Parade on Friday 21st February!
Light up Dragon Badges Workshop
Monday 17th February 10am – 12pm
Gainsborough Library
Get ready for our Illuminate Event by joining us at our workshop to decorate your own Dragon Head Badges and wear them with pride during our Illuminate Event!
Please note that the entertainment is subject to adequate weather conditions.
Please note all performances are subject to change. For the latest updates please follow Discover Gainsborough on Facebook, X and Instagram.
This event has been made possible by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, West Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council’s National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England and Gainsborough Town Council.
Head to our photo gallery from Illuminate 2024 to see what to expect on 21st February 2025.