Elements of the whimsical Alice in Wonderland installation from last year’s Dunedin Midwinter Carnival were set up inside the Meridian Mall last night, as part of preparations for next month’s event. Photo: supplied Several lantern displays were set up last night, giving the public their first chance to take a closer look before the carnival, which will be held on June 21 and 22 at First Church, with the theme "Creatures of the Deep". The Meridian lantern installations focus on last year’s carnival theme of "The Enchanted Forest", and include whimsical displays from the popular Alice in Wonderland installation — some of which took 100 hours to complete.
It will remain at the mall until June 26. The Meridian Mall has been in a long standing partnership with the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, hosting both the community lantern displays and the public lantern workshops. Meridian Mall marketing manager Stacey Johnston said the annual giant lantern installation "brings a magical vibrancy to the centre and we love being able to share this with the community".
• Lantern workshops Public lantern workshops being held in preparation for the Midwinter Carnival will give people the chance to make small lanterns on the "Creatures of the Deep" theme, including jellyfish, fish, penguins, and a boat. The weekend workshops will be held on May 25-26, June 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16, at the Meridian Mall. Each workshop participant and their lanterns will get free entry to the carnival and be in.
