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13.
September
2016.
NEWS RELEASE: 15 Reasons to Visit The Enchanted Forest in its 15th Year
15
reasons to visit The Enchanted Forest in its 15th year
The Enchanted Forest, a brilliant sound and light show that
transforms a Perthshire wood each October, is 15 years old this year.
To celebrate, here are 15 facts about the show, now a
multi-award-winning event that sells tens of thousands of tickets. This year’s Enchanted
Forest, called Shimmer, starts on September 28th and runs every
night in October at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.
- The Enchanted Forest had humble, and small, beginnings with just 1500 people coming to the first show over 3 nights. Last year, a record 62,000 tickets were sold. Sales this year are already set to surpass this.
- It takes around 100 people every year, from designers to
stewards and from ground staff to technicians, to put on this stunning
event.
- The Enchanted Forest is a huge boost to the economy of
Perthshire and to tourism in Scotland. It brings in an estimated £2m to
the local economy every year. That’s a great thing for the community.
- It’s an event that gives something back. Each year The
Enchanted Forest has a dedicated charity evening. This year’s charity
night is September 29th with proceeds going to: Scottish
Charity Air Ambulance; Kidney Kids Scotland; and British Heart Foundation
Scotland.
- The Enchanted Forest is run as a charity, The Enchanted Forest
Community Trust, operated by a board of trustees drawn from the local
community. The money raised each year goes to fund a range of community
projects, from pipe band uniforms to yoga classes for the elderly.
- The Enchanted Forest made its way into a novel! The magical
setting was featured in Chained to
Mineola by A. Louise Robertson after the author visited the show. The
book is about two people’s love for nature. One of the book’s protagonists
is a technician at the event.
- Last year the show lured the crew of BBC’s Countryfile ‘into the woods’. Together with presenter
Ellie Harrison, the Countryfile
crew put together a piece about the transformation of Faskally Wood into
The Enchanted Forest, and the changing of the forest as Autumn descended.
- There have been some famous visitors to Enchanted Forest. Last
year they included Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank, who tweeted about his
attendance to his 81,000 followers. Another was Tomas Jansen, head of
sales for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “Well done and well executed,”
said Tomas afterwards. Nice praise indeed from a Disney exec!
- The Enchanted Forest’s awards are so many you’d think they grew on
trees. Except they don’t – they’re the result of very hard work! This
year’s accolades include the coveted Scottish Rural Award for Tourism
& Hospitality 2016; Best event 2015 at the Scottish Thistle Awards;
and three shortlistings, two for the Scottish Event Awards and one for the
Chartered Institute of Public Relations awards for best marketing
strategy.
- There’s a larger-than-life character coming to visit this year,
courtesy of Vision Mechanics. At their workshop in Leith, the puppet
company has been constructing something extra special, extra huge – and
interactive. All will be revealed when the show opens.
- Digital animators 59 Productions, another contributor to the show,
did their first ever event in Pitlochry as part of the Pitlochry
Festival Theatre. They’ve since worked on everything from the Sydney Opera
House to the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
- Digital artists Squidsoup have an interactive treat in store:
a walk-through light installation that has been exhibited all over the
world, from Australia to Mexico City. Other work by Squidsoup has included
‘animated’ Shakespeare quotes and digital moving insects. Fascinated? You
should be.
- The Enchanted Forest reinvents itself every year. And that’s
what makes it a magical experience. The creative brains come together and
produce a unique experience every time. So there’s no ‘I’ve seen it
before’ – you haven’t!
- There will be drone footage this year for the first time, so
expect some amazing, shimmering, visuals.
- The show has its very own set of music composers and lighting
designers . Sound design and
composition is done by the hugely talented RJ McConnell and Jon Beales.
And there’s a dedicated sound engineer who’ll be mixing the music in 7.1
surround sound. The fantastic lighting design is done by Kate Bonney and
Simon Hayes who have worked to create new and exciting effects each year.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.enchantedforest.org.uk.
Category
Arts & Entertainment
Travel & Tourism