Troy light art festival welcomes 'winter's darkness'

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Residents in Troy enjoyed the aftermath of Daylight Savings Time with the Troy Glow Light Festival; a walkthrough that has been illuminating downtown Troy for the last nine days. The organizer of this event said the goal was to welcome winter’s darkness.

“We start it after daylight savings because that’s when downtown starts to get dark so we thought why not bring light to troy,” said Olivia Clemente, executive director of the downtown Troy business improvement district.

That light includes everything from light up squares to lightning bolts. Plus, it has been bringing in people of all ages.

“The reason I wanted to come is to see these,” said Henry, a little boy from Albany. “The lights, there’s a light show going on.”

These unique designs were crafted from artists across the capital region and beyond. There are 10 light installations across Downtown Troy.

“One is hanging from somewhere like a huge spider web except its teal,” said Henry. “There’s also one over there that’s beautiful, actually.”

The Troy Glow Light Festival is a bi-annual festival that Olivia Clemente said has helped remind people of Downtown Troy’s beauty.

“It helps illuminate the streets, it helps feel safe when you’re walking at night and it really captures the beauty of the city,” said Clemente.

According to Clemente, over 1,000 people have been coming each night since the festival began on Nov. 1. On Saturday, Clemente said the tour groups filled up to about 200 people per group.

“It brings the economy up in our downtown the businesses get to prosper from this so it really brings a sense of community together,” said Clemente.

Aside from the lights, there were also plenty of things for guests to check out. This included live music and live art.

“Live art inside our business where you can experience glass blowing, magicians live painting, DJs, folk music, acoustic acts there’s so much in Downtown Troy,” said Clemente.

Some people NEWS10 spoke to at the festival said they were just there to enjoy the music and the energy of the city.

“I’m definitely bopping, definitely enjoying the vibe and yeah, its been great I’ve been trying to start a dance party on the square over there in the grass,” said Gretchen Dicer, Niskayuna residnet.

All that dancing and sight seeing has helped some folks have a great night. This festival will last until Sunday, Nov. 10. For more information visit their website.

“I think it would be a great annual event,” said Kathy Schubin, a Colonie resident. “There’s a lot of people out tonight, families and all different ages so it’s great.”