AS MOUNT Gambier prepares to “paint the town blue” for the upcoming Fringe Festival off-shoot, one iconic heritage site is kicking off the tradition tonight.
For Mount Gambier residents, the Centenary Tower is a familiar ray of light at the city’s highest point, but tonight its colour will be blue.
Centenary Tower caretaker Ben Deering hoped the iconic landmark could play a small part in promoting the exciting arts festival.
“Some people do not realise how well-received the Fringe Festival is in Adelaide – it is part of the city’s identity during March,” Mr Deering said.
“To have a satellite version of that for three years is an awesome achievement and I am happy to do anything to help promote it.”
Following a test-run of the blue lighting earlier in the week, Mr Deering said the colour was better to view up-close.
“I will warn people that it not as visible from further away and it will probably catch a few people off guard who might think the lights are off,” he said.
“However if people would like to go for a walk up in the evening it is quite good up close.”
Mr Deering said lighting up the tourism attraction was more about getting on board with the event than creating something visibly spectacular.
“I have always tried to find creative ways to get people engaged with the tower, so hopefully this can get people talking about it and link it to the Fringe,” he said.
“Hopefully we will get a few extra people up there as anything that can encourage people to get out and active is great.”
The Centenary Tower will remain blue until the conclusion of the Fringe Mount Gambier festivities.
The Lady Nelson and the Old Mount Gambier Courthouse have also been earmarked as other potential tourist locations to be “painted blue” pending tests in the coming days.
All local businesses are encouraged to join in “painting the town blue”.
