Winter Lights set to illuminate downtown Cd'A

COEUR d’ALENE — A whole new world. 

Worlds, actually.

That’s what awaits visitors to Winter Lights in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

“Every door will get you somewhere different. You can open it hundreds of times and see hundreds of worlds,” said Paul Magnuson, chief imagineer with Calgary-based BigArt as he set up “The Beacon” on Wednesday at McEuen Park. “Each time, it’s a different world.”

The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association’s new event presented by STCU begins Friday and runs through Feb. 4. It is free.

Winter Lights is described as a “journey through an illuminated and immersive wonderland of large-scale, light-based artworks.”

Seventeen installations of illuminated artwork will be scattered across downtown, highlighted by “The Tunnel” on the front lawn of The Coeur d’Alene Resort and “The Beacon” in McEuen Park.

Downtown businesses will be offering special events, sales, raffles and window displays.

Together, it should be amazing, Magnuson said.

“We have big expectations,” he said.

Adam Graves, president of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, came up with the idea after seeing a post-holiday light display in London.

The idea is to give folks a reason to get outside and visit local businesses in the cold, gray, dreary stretch following Christmas.

While it’s a substantial investment, the board decided this year seemed like the time to go for it. Hopes are it will become an annual event and attract visitors from throughout the region.

“It’s something for people to come out and get happy,” Graves said.

Volunteer Nicole Robitaille has been involved with Winter Lights and Wednesday was setting up The Tunnel.

She recalled living in Portland, Ore., for a time when it had a similar light display in the offseason that was successful.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity for people to come downtown and view some art,” she said.

 Robitaille has high hopes for big crowds.

“I think it will be great for families to come down. It’s interactive, it’s fun,” she said.

The Beacon at McEuen Park will be created by stacking large IBC totes together. Each will glow with different colors.

Magnuson said BigArt has created castles, pillars and archways with the totes, each filled with about 250 gallons of water.

“We use them as anyone would use a paintbrush,” he said.

There will be four doors that can be opened, revealing a spectacular surprise. Doors will also be on Sherman Avenue.

“You’ll see a whole different world inside,” Magnuson said.

A map can be accessed on the association’s website to locate the installations.

Illuminate, Winter Lights’ launch event, is scheduled 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at The Resort.

It will feature fire-breathing, aerial artists, interactive artworks, life-size sculptures, food, themed cocktails and live music from Brittany’s House.

Tickets, $99, are available at cdadowntown.com.

Emily Boyd, association executive director, said funds generated from Illuminate will help finance the art installations and ensure that Winter Lights remains accessible to the community at no cost.

    Paul Magnuson with BigArt sets up a door at McEuen Park that will be part of the Winter Lights display that begins Friday.