NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival artists light way to New Year

Dec 19 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

ARTISTS are counting down the days to a glowing parade and fireworks display that will illuminate Tyneside on New Year’s Eve.

Three Glowmobiles – illuminated art cars – will make their world debut at the NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival on the cusp of 2009.

They will be joined by a pedal-powered airship, a musical ice cream van and a pick-up truck turned Ice Palace.

Twenty amazing cars and other vehicles, commissioned by Walk the Plank, will take to the streets from midday to 6pm.

Artist Dave Moutrey is working with Mike Green and Gordon Banks in Oldham to fine-tune the Rickshaw Airship – a recycled rickshaw from India with a helium-filled airship.

Mr Moutrey said: “We enjoyed being part so much in last year’s Glowmobiles that we jumped at the opportunity to create a brand new art car especially for NewcastleGateshead. Debuting the Rickshaw Airship will make taking part this year extra special.

“Our inspiration was to create something powered by people rather than petrol and we liked the idea of bringing together two very different forms of transport – an Indian rickshaw and an early form of flight, the airship – to create something totally unique and fun.”

Last year the event created a carnival atmosphere as it snaked through the city centre. And families are expected to throng the streets to watch the Glowmobiles light up Grey’s Monument, then Northumberland Street, as they make their way to Newcastle Civic Centre amid music and dance.

The event will culminate at 6pm with a short fireworks display outside the Civic Centre.

Back by popular demand are the fire-breathing Green Goddess fire engine, Tone Float – a milk float which plays a tune on its bottles – and Crazy Golf.

Stella Hall, creative director of culture10, organising the event, said: “Glowmobiles will bring the Winter Festival and the year to a spectacular close.

“We’re looking forward to being entertained and amazed by the three new Glowmobiles that will be exciting additions to this year’s celebrations.”