Instead of blundering about in the dark at home, supporters of Earth Hour in Dunedin will be able to enjoy an hour of family entertainment in the Octagon next Saturday evening.
Earth Hour is a time when people are encouraged to turn off their lights for an hour, from 8.30pm, in a symbolic gesture to support international action on climate change.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin will host the hour, which will include fire juggling, fire sculptures, acoustic music, floating candles and lanterns.
Organisers expect the Octagon to be bathed in a gentle glow as cafes and bars in the area turn out their lights and give patrons the candelit dining experience.
Street and building lights in the area will also be turned off.
The Earth Hour Steering Group is asking the wider Dunedin community to get involved and turn off their lights, too.
Dunedin City Council sustainability co-ordinator Sarah Weller said turning off lights for an hour was a small gesture, but it counted.
In her household last year, the family had a candlelit dinner and the children enjoyed it so much they had repeated it.
"It would be great if Earth Hour had a similar lasting effect on other families in our city, too,"she said
