Artists, children and community groups from across Truro and beyond are combining paper, withy and their imaginations to create stunning lanterns ahead of the annual City of Lights celebrations.

The event this evening, Wednesday, November 19, which will see Truro’s cobbled streets lit up by a magical parade of dazzling lanterns, takes on a newly a newly designed route for 2014 and an earlier start time of 6.30pm.

Now in its 18th year the annual festivities attract around 25,000 people visit Truro to see the creative collaboration of art, music, dance and light.

The giant paper creations have all been designed around this year’s theme of ‘Heroes and Heroines’.

Event Manager Claire Eason-Bassett said: “The new route has been designed so that this year even more spectators will have an opportunity to enjoy the lanterns and entertainment close-up.

“This year we have been inspired by the centenary anniversary of the start of the First World War, hence our theme which is all about real-life heroes and their stories.

“The lanterns have been created by local schools, groups and professional artists and they will be carried through the streets in a wonderful celebration of community spirit.”

And the procession course isn’t the only thing to have changed this year. Organisers have launched the City of Lights first ever crowdfunding campaign in an attempt to raise up to £3,000 towards the festival. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/trurocityoflights

Clare Hearn, fundraiser for City of Lights, explains “We still need everyone’s support to fundraise through our Crowdfunder campaign, or on the night, so we can continue to put on one of Cornwall’s most successful community events.”

The newly designed route involves two groups of lanterns and participants coming together on Lemon Street and then separating again at Frances Street, aiming to ensure more people can enjoy the event safely.

Truro High School for Girls will host the commencement of the procession, which starts at the earlier time of 6:30pm.

Starting on Falmouth Road, local school groups and half of the bands will parade down Lemon Street where they will be joined by the artists and their large lanterns and remaining bands from Charles Street.

The procession will then continue onto Boscawen Street, where the Christmas Lights will be switched after a special musical overture, and along River Street.

The professional artists carrying the large lanterns will double back along Little Castle Street and Kenwyn Street to finish on Lemon Quay with a mass samba performance.

Entertainment will begin from 5:30pm on Wednesday 19th November with music ranging from steel bands to sea shanties!

Families with small children are advised to avoid Lemon Quay, Boscawen Street, and Victoria Square which can get very busy.

There are multiple viewing points along the route of the procession, and visitors are advised to spread along the whole route to get the best view.

There will be a viewing point for disabled visitors at the Royal Cornwall Museum on River Street.