Cape Town's Festive Lights Usher in 2010 Final Draw

Cape Town's festive lights get soccer theme in the run up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup

As thousands of soccer dignitaries and journalists prepare to visit Cape Town for the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 4 December 2009, the City of Cape Town has focused on a soccer theme for this year’s festive lights in the city centre.

The City’s public lighting crews are already hard at work after hours, putting up the 12 light installations which span the entire width of Adderley Street. There will also be a six meter high Christmas tree at the entrance to the Company Gardens.

Over 50 000 people are expected to gather in Adderley Street on Sunday, 29 November 2009, to witness the colourful extravaganza of light and sound when the lights are switched on by Executive Mayor Dan Plato at the Foreshore.

The 43-year-old ceremony of switching on the Christmas lights in Cape Town, which is accompanied by a star-studded concert and a 2 000-strong carnival parade, is billed as Cape Town’s largest open-air event.

"This year, it will form part of the milestone celebrations leading up to the 2010 FIFA Final Draw on Friday, 4 December 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre," says Lesley de Reuck, Cape Town’s Director of 2010 Operations.

According to the City’s public lighting manager Anthony Hendricks, a special team designed the new light crossings to incorporate a strong emphasis on 2010 soccer themes. "Some of the more traditional elements have been retained and the huge Christmas tree has returned to the top end of Adderley Street. It replaces last year’s indigenous aloe plant, which became a lively talking point in Cape Town.”

By using energy efficient rope lighting, the City has cut the electricity consumption of its festive light displays by more than 50 percent. About ten kilometres of rope lighting were used to create this year’s displays.

"We don’t foresee a burden on the City’s electricity infrastructure as most industries are closed over the festive season, thus reducing the energy loads," said Hendricks.

Cape Town is expecting an influx of over one million visitors and the municipality has devised a comprehensive festive season co-ordination plan to promote a safe, secure and clean holiday for residents and visitors.

"The event provides Cape Town with an excellent opportunity to test its ability to stage big events in the run-up to 2010," said De Reuck.

Read all the information on the switching on of the Christmas lights in Cape Town.

For a comprehensive line-up of all the amazing festivities in Cape Town, be sure to read our event overview on the 2010 Soccer World Cup Final Draw Cape Town.

For more exciting news and information on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa browse our FIFA 2010 Section.

To keep up-to-date with 2010 World Cup developments subscribe to our Editor’s Picks Newsletter and follow us on Twitter @wcsoccer2010.

Interested in seeing where the stadiums, fan parks and other interesting 2010 locations are situated? Download our innovative Google Earth 2010 map.