“White Light Night,” Mid City’s event of the year, fulfilled its promise of a brilliant night of outstanding art, music and food to welcome the holiday season Nov. 21.The event featured local artists at all businesses adorned with white lights in the Mid City Art and Design District down Government Street.Sharon Furrate, president of the Mid City Merchants Association, said “White Light Night” is an annual art hop that brings     people into an undiscovered part of Baton Rouge.”It draws people into a historical area of Baton Rouge that many may not know about and exposes people to the neat restaurants, shops, galleries and retailers in Mid City,” Furrate said.Furrate said what makes “White Light Night” stand out is its unconventional art galleries.”There are businesses that are not your typical gallery, but they’re showing local artists,” Furrate said. “For instance, Ragusa’s Automotive. They always participate, and they always have a crowd.”Furrate said the event brings people from all across Louisiana.”It’s not just galleries that are showcasing local art. It’s about businesses in the area that want to showcase the talent in Baton Rouge,” Furrate said. “It draws not just from the Greater Baton Rouge Area, but people come from Lafayette, they come from New Orleans, and it’s been going on for so many years. It’s become an event that attracts thousands of people.”Furrate said “White Light Night” is an event to have fun and is an experience University students shouldn’t pass up.”It’s very lively. I will say that especially for students into the arts … They need to come out,” Furrate said.Furrate said “White Light Night” is a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. “It’s definitely something to get you in a better mood before exams,” she said.Quintin Good, part-owner of Purple Monkey Design, a participating business, said what he likes most about “White Light Night” is that it lets people know what is available in Mid City Baton Rouge.”I think the best part about it is the local promotion and what it does for the local businesses and local artists,” Good said. “The fact that it supports the local community is the best part about it.”Good said “White Light Night” exposes University students to great places to dine, drink and shop beyond campus.”It shows them what Baton Rouge has to offer outside of their little campus microcosm,” Good said. “It’s just a part of Baton Rouge that not all of the students want to figure out at first, so this is a good way for them to get familiar with the area.”Otto Orellana, a local artist featured at Bistro Byronz, said the event is about local artists and Mid City Merchants getting together and gaining support.”The event is to stimulate some support of the economy right there, as far as the businesses, like the restaurants and the local art shops,” Orellana said.Orellana said the greatest part about the event is that many businesses participate.”There are so many locations to check out all the artwork, and they’re all kind of close together, which makes it really nice,” Orellana said. Orellana said what students appreciate most about “White Light Night” is the discovery of many things that cannot be found on campus.”They won’t feel like Baton Rouge is just based on the University. They can check out lots of professional artists, great boutiques, stores and other places that Mid City has to offer that LSU doesn’t,” Orellana said.Furrate said this year’s “White Light Night” was absolutely delightful.”I thought it was fabulous. Some people said it was the best we’ve ever had,” Furrate said. “The streets were just packed, and people were having fun.”Furrate said the event was a great kick-off to the holidays.”It really got people in the holiday spirit,” Furrate said. “All I can say is that it was truly successful. There wasn’t a spot where I didn’t see people.”Furrate said businesses see more people coming in to purchase after the event, but the best part about it is that it raises awareness of a wonderful area of Baton Rouge that University students tend to overlook.”I really think it just puts a big spotlight on one of the best areas of town for college students,” Furrate said. —-Contact Cathryn Core at [email protected]