THE story of the Loxton community and its Christmas spirit could be told on the front of a prominent church later this year, with the light show expected to be a major tourism drawcard.
Little Town Productions and St Peter’s Lutheran Church plan to collaborate with Adelaide-based business, Illuminart, to have a 10-minute animation projected onto the church – if community support and funds allow.
Little Town Productions’ will present the project to Loxton Waikerie councillors this Friday and spokesperson John Gladigau said the light show would coincide with the 30th anniversary of Loxton Lights Festival.
“This project would be an extraordinary opportunity to not only celebrate this amazing achievement, but to draw significant outside attention to our town and region, and the amazing community we have in Loxton,” he said.
On the weekend, the Lutheran Church of Australia awarded a $25,000 grant to the Loxton church for the light show, while the cost of the project is about $90,000.
“In order for this event to progress and succeed, it will need full community support from within the St Peter’s and church communities, Loxton Lights Up, Loxton Waikerie council, the Loxton Chamber of Commerce and the wider community,” Mr Gladigau said.
“St Peter’s and Little Town are prepared to project manage this event on behalf of the community.
“While we believe there will possibly be others in the community also prepared to financially contribute, there is obviously a significant amount remaining to find.”
The proposal, which will be put to councillors on Friday, is for council to help source remaining funds.
“This may be through internal revenue and/or through funding sources such as arts grants, federal and state community event and tourism grants – and potentially funds available for drought affected areas,” Mr Gladigau said.
“As this is a very large project – with significant tourism and community implications – for it to progress it will need support, especially in the sourcing of funds.”