Category Archives: Immersive Experiences

Case Study: Maymont Garden Glow 2024 Lighting & Audio

Bringing the Garden to Life: CHAUVET Professional and The Lighting & Sound Company Create an Immersive Experience at Maymont Garden Glow

The Robins Nature Center Valley at Maymont Garden Glow is beautifully illuminated at night with light-up flowers and a backdrop of colorful trees — The Robins Nature Center Valley is beautifully illuminated at night with light-up flowers and a backdrop of colorful trees

Nestled in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, Maymont Estate’s annual Garden Glow event is a local treasure—a celebration of natural beauty, artistry, and light. In 2024, The Lighting & Sound Company once again transformed this historic 20-acre park into a wonderland of color and motion, and CHAUVET Professional was proud to be at the heart of it all.

From the tranquil lakes of the Japanese Garden to dramatic rock formations and lush foliage, every corner of the park pulsed with energy and atmosphere. Under the expert leadership of Jonathan Blake, Director of Technical Services at The Lighting & Sound Company, this year’s event was more than a visual showcase – it was a fully immersive experience.

“We aimed to highlight the ground’s horticulture in a way that respected and elevated its natural elegance,” said Blake. “To make that happen, we needed fixtures that were not only powerful and vibrant but rugged enough to handle unpredictable outdoor conditions.”

In the Japanese Garden, textured patterns are projected on treacherous rocky terrain during Maymont Garden Glow — In Maymont’s Japanese Garden, abstract textured patterns are projected on treacherous rocky terrain

With over 300 CHAUVET Professional fixtures powering the experience, the lighting design was as technically impressive as it was visually stunning. The inventory included:

84 COLORado Panel Q40s, delivering bright, saturated light across large swaths of the park, especially across the lake in the Japanese Garden.
163 COLORdash Par H12 IP units and 40 COLORado 1QS fixtures, offering vivid color washes across the landscape.
22 Ovation E-260WW IP ellipsoidals, used for projecting custom gobo patterns on rock formations, gates, waterfalls, and even walkways.
16 Ovation REVE E-3 IP ellipsoidals used for colored gobo projection
40 ÉPIX Strip IP units, forming a dynamic light tunnel that connected Glow Village to the serene Japanese Garden trail.

All CHAUVET Professional units used were IP65-rated, ensuring optimal performance throughout the three-week outdoor installation, no matter the weather.

“Using the Q40s was a game changer for us,” Blake emphasized. “Their long throw and powerful punch let us light features across the lake with stunning clarity. We’ve done this show before without them, and the difference this year was undeniable.”

The lighting was orchestrated over an advanced control network utilizing 10 universes of DMX around the lake and an additional 24 universes for special features like the ÉPIX tunnel. sACN protocol ensured seamless communication from the show control hub to each strategically placed DMX node, making every flicker and fade count.

The result? A breathtaking blend of nature, light, and sound. As visitors wandered through glowing pathways, under illuminated archways, and past shimmering reflections on the lake, traditional Japanese music emanated from hidden rock-shaped speakers, completing the sensory experience.

CHAUVET Professional are honored to support creators like The Lighting & Sound Company who use our technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live and environmental design. Maymont Garden Glow wasn’t just a walk through the park—it was a journey into the extraordinary.

The Grotto in Maymont's Japanese Garden is transformed by an illusory projection of moving water during Maymont Garden Glow — The Grotto in Maymont’s Japanese Garden is transformed by an wondrous projection of moving water

Case Study: Garden Lights at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Request: Create Immersive Walking Experience

For Garden Lights at MSV, the entire lighting design would need to involve colorful landscape lighting. Specialized looks, interactive exhibits, and utility lighting was developed for walking path illumination. MSV has several miles of paved walking trails as well as formal gardens, large fields and lawns, and a central water feature. Our design team evaluated various pathway routes and proposed a trail that would give the maximum number of ideal lighting locations and signature viewpoints. Once the path confirmed, we could get into the actual lighting design work. Of course, since the experience lasted for four weeks, all the equipment needed to be weather-resistant. We have an enormous inventory of IP65-rated lighting fixtures and power cabling available to handle the site conditions.

Planning Scope, Specials, Wash

Our design team performed a comprehensive site survey and photographed and mapped the entire path for easy reference. First we designated locations where special lighting moments would be most effective. For example, the Grand Allee provided a central viewpoint for a stunning interactive effect. This interactive lighting installation where visitors press a button to activate beams of light that choreograph vibrant patterns in the night sky was accompanied by synchronized ambient sounds. Once these spots have been identified, we filled in the remaining portions of the grounds with general landscape wash lighting. We look for locations where we can take advantage of the existing terrain to conceal fixtures and equipment, or rig a light fixture up in a tree to illuminate an area without an unsightly support structure.

Garden Lights Power Distribution & Show Control

Distributing power outside over tens of acres of wide open environment is never simple. Fortunately we are very experienced at handling this challenge of outdoor events. At this venue, we did not require generators as there was ample power available from the various buildings. We planned our power cable runs to be out of the way while remaining as short as possible. Everything has to be outdoors for several weeks so all the electrical distribution equipment was required to be weatherproof.

While many stage lighting fixtures are now available with IP65 ratings, most networking equipment is not. Therefore we placed the network switches, wifi access points, and lighting control DMX nodes inside specialized waterproof enclosures.

We located our production office trailer at a central but discreet location. This way we could run data networking to every corner of the event site. This enabled us to have centralized lighting control of all specials as well as WiFi and remote monitoring throughout the jobsite. Our lighting designers certainly appreciated programming from within a climate-controlled space

This enabled us to maintain the experience easily while the event was operating. The onsite technician could observe all areas of the event and dispatch immediately to check on any outages.

Garden Lights Lighting for Guest Experience

At certain areas where the direction is unclear or the ground may be less smooth, we planned for lighting that would effectively illuminate the walking pathway. The path had to cross a large open field and so we specified pathway lighting via bistro lights on stakes that was bright for safety and economical to install.
After everything is set up, we walk the route and often need to relocate a light fixture to keep it out of the scenic view or re-focus it to not be blinding another area of the trail.

Where cables crossing a walking path is unavoidable, we use low-slope ADA-compliant cable ramps so there is no trip hazard or impediment to strollers or mobility aids.

Other locations that also required lighting and courtesy power were ticket-taking and foodservice booths. Our team handled utility lighting and power for these locations so the client could focus on the guest-facing requirements of those locations.

Lighting for Walking Paths

At The Lighting & Sound Company, we are frequently asked to provide lighting for a route that will be used by guests of an event during the evening hours. This could be a short path from a tent to a restroom or a windy walk through the woods to a remote parking lot.

We have many different options for light fixtures that can do this. A menu of different pathway lighting choices follows with average cost from lowest to highest:

Neon Tape

We have cool-white “neon-emulating” LED tape that can be placed along the edge of a path. The tape comes in 85 ft length sections. Many people call this a “runway” look.

Pathway Lights

Brass pathway lights that cast light downwards in a 12 ft diameter are placed along the path. The lights are 3 ft tall and blend in well with landscaping. They keep the light out of guest’s eyes while making the walking area well illuminated.

Three brass pathway lighting fixtures placed adjacent to a walkway illuminate it for evening guests

LED Light Tower

A tall light tower, with wide-angle flood lights like the kind used to illuminate construction sites and parking lots at concerts. It plugs to existing power sources so it is silent as compared to similar units with a noisy engine. This method ensures everything in a 200 ft radius surrounding the light tower is highly visible. They are extremely bright and can be a bit blinding. It is also useful for long-term installations where it might be inconvenient to refuel.

Pendants on Shepherd Hooks

Woven Pendant Lights with a bright lightbulb inside hang from sleek, head-height shepherd hooks. We space these evenly along a path every 15 feet to provide a very unique look that also illuminates the walkway very effectively.

Pendant Lights hanging on shepherd hooks illuminate stone stairs for good visibility at Maymont Garden Glow

Bistro Handrail

Black wire bistro lights with plastic LED (unbreakable) bulbs are attached to black plastic fence post stakes to provide a swagged “handrail” of bistro lighting along the pathway.

Bistro Lighting swagged on shepherd hooks adjacent to the walkway during a wedding

Pathway color wash

Wireless or powered uplight fixtures (Astera AX5) are set on the ground and pointed at the grass/ground. The colors can be set individually or all the same. When we do this with two alternating colors we call it a “candy-cane” effect on the ground.

A candy-cane look of colors aimed at a pathway

Orb Lights

Wireless uplight fixtures with domes on top cast a 360-degree light about 6 ft diameter. These look like orbs and since they are wireless, can be placed anywhere. The colors can be set individually so this can be a fun, whimsical effect in addition to providing utility.

Overhead Bistro Lights

Bistro lights over top of the pathway supported on poles or attached to nearby trees. Option of placing paper lanterns on on some or all of the bulbs. The white light bulbs can be upgraded to color-changing if desired, which can be paired with white paper lanterns to change the color of the lanterns.

Bistro Lights suspended from trees with colored paper lanterns on bulbs

Titan Tubes

Wireless tube lights (Astera Titan Tube) which can be placed vertically on tripod stands and set to different colors and placed every 6 ft along the path. Some people say they look like light sabers. This is a very unique and very cool look.

Tree Lighting

If there are many suitable trees nearby to the pathway then we can light all the trees in a color of your choice. This can be a high-impact spectacle for your guests that provides a wow factor as well as utility.

A long line of trees are illuminated in blue light at the Richmond Jazz Festival

Geometric Shade Structure

What if you could create an area at a festival that makes a statement, provides a shaded gathering point for attendees, allows for sponsorship opportunities, and is totally unique? That solution is now available with a Geometric Fabric Shade Structure supplied by Lighting & Sound Co in Richmond, Virginia. Your outdoor event venue can be transformed into an artistic visual icon.

This 80-ft diameter shade structure provides over 4,000 square feet of shaded area for your event attendees to use as a central hub. Your guests can comfortably stay for a longer duration and enjoy the entire event. This leads to higher attendance and increased satisfaction. Giving the space some character with hanging decor or seating arrangements encourages guests to relax and socialize.

An example of an 80-ft diameter shade structure with red and white triangular sails, with red covered support towers, set up for a festival

After dark, the shade structure can transform from a cool hangout spot to an immersive, bright experience. The sails serve as a canvas for creative lighting and visual effects; lighting, projections, and banners can enhance the atmosphere once the sun sets.

Compared with a tent, your event attendees will likely find that a shade structure feels more open and iconic. The perimeter height is much taller at 12 ft high compared with a typical 8 ft height of a tent, making the area much more inviting. Additionally, the structure’s customizable and colorful sail fabric is considerably more noticeable, remarkable, and memorable than a typical white tent.

A shade structure at night, with lighting illuminating the underside of the structure, at a music festival

Shade structures can be set up in a variety of outdoor locations, transforming an ordinary open space into an inviting venue. They provide event planners with the flexibility to create custom experiences in diverse settings.

The shade structures’ versatility allows for almost infinite design options. With several colors to choose from and rigging points for all kinds of lighting and decor, you can really give your event a personal and memorable touch that guests will keep talking about.

Top view of a 40 ft diameter geometric shade structure with four colors of sails

Printed fabrics also keep your branding consistent and can provide sponsorship opportunities. The support tower covers or corner gusset flags are great ways to subtly add a logo, or the main sails can make a big statement with custom patterns.

Multiple branding options are available to showcase sponsors. Here all the fabric covers are color-coordinated to match the title sponsor’s color palette and both the support tower and roof sails have been printed with the sponsor logos

The shade structure is manufactured by the leading supplier of stretchy fabric structures: Stretch Shapes. It is engineered in accordance with building codes and to withstand 40 mph winds.

Insomniac’s HARD Summer Music Festival had this to say about a similar structure:

Not only did these three geometrically beautiful shade structures set the tone of the festival, but these also provided the festival attendees a sanctuary away from the scorching UV rays. As thousands of posts flooded social media, featuring the Shade Structures as a backdrop, it’s easy to conclude these artistic structures were functional yet iconic elements of the festival

Shade structures can play a pivotal role in the success of outdoor events, offering both functionality and style. They aren’t only a practical addition to a hot summer day, they enhance the overall atmosphere and personality of the event. Event planners looking to create unforgettable experiences should provide the perfect setting to make lasting memories.

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Maymont Garden Glow 2020: Outdoor Lighting

The lush 100 acres of gardens at the Maymont Estate are gorgeous throughout the year. However, at Maymont Garden Glow, you can see the gardens in an entirely different light. There is no place like the Maymont Japanese Garden or Italian Garden anywhere else in the mid-Atlantic region. The Italian Garden has specially distinct patterned flower beds, while the Japanese Garden has many Eastern-style plants. In fact, the Maymont Japanese Garden is the oldest public garden on the East Coast.

During the annual Maymont Garden Glow event, you can see the marvelous gardens majestically lit up. An extensive lighting installation is setup by our professional technicians to make this event happen. We use hundreds of outdoor light fixtures to illuminate the landscape and provide beautiful evening looks. Guests can walk the path and see all the trees, structures, and water features washed in amazing colors.

Our clients often request assistance with outdoor lighting projects, so we are familiar with the challenges posed by long-term outdoor lighting displays. Indeed, we have an enormous inventory of weatherproof light fixtures plus many miles of power cable to enable lighting installations in remote locations.

Maymont Garden Glow Areas

As an attendee of the 2020 event, you could observe many distinct areas with unique lighting elements at each location.

The walk began with numerous patterns of natural textures projected on the stone barn. Afterwards, you could see the large fountain illuminated for a colorful moving water look. Finally, you were led down a stone path into the wooded walk, illuminated with multicolored kaleidoscope pattern projection.

Wooded Walk

As you arrived at the wooded walk, a spectacular view of the Italian Gardens bathed in bright colors appeared. While walking through this area, you could see the surrounding nature lit in corresponding colors that changed in sync with the Italian music played in this area.

Moving towards the Maymont Mansion, guests first looked out over the pond towards the statue of Three Graces. A low lying fog slowly billowed out over the pond while lights shined below creating an eerie look. Furthermore, around the mansion, you could see patterns projected on the exterior walls showcasing the magnificent building. Additionally, you could see the mausoleum silhouetted against the backdrop of the James River.

Mansion Area and Interactive Effect

Coming around the front of the Maymont Mansion was one of the event’s centerpieces. A large lighting display controlled by guests walking through it changed depending where you stand. Accompanying this were sound effects to remind the user of playing a piano. Around Halloween we changed these to spooky themed sound effects. Following this scene, guests were treated to spectacular views of the large illuminated trees north of the Mansion. Wherever you looked, the nature was bathed in majestic colors.

Looking towards the exit pathway were two more major installations. A triangular sculpture made of chinese parasols was set in the middle of the path. You could take fantastic selfies in front of this structure as each parasol was lit from behind with different colors. Then, as you walked down Magnolia Row, over your head were over 2500 bistro light bulbs strung between the trees. Multiple colored paper lanterns hung over some of the bulbs adding color to this area which was already aglow. More than half a mile of bistro string lighting was hanging in the trees over this area.

Maymont Garden Glow By The Numbers:

116 Chauvet Professonal ColorDASH Par H12IP weatherproof LED wash fixtures illuminated gardens, trees, and buildings
32 Astera AX5 LED fixtures with 360-degree diffusion domes used in the peninsula
10 Chauvet Ovation E-260WW IP fixtures that projected colored texture gobos and the event logo
3000 linear ft of bistro string lighting between the west mansion turn and magnolia row, totaling 1500 bulbs
500 linear ft of Chauvet Festoon color changing bistro string lighting on the ramp, light tunnel, and parasols
250 paper lanterns on the magnolia row string lights adding color
Two Interactive Technologies CueServer units for show playback
Two Mega-Silent 30 KVa Diesel Generators for reliable event power supplied by Temp-Power
~6250 linear ft of electric power cable
~3000 linear ft of DMX control data cable
24 cable ramps to protect cables run over walking paths