Max Jago: Launceston sparky reveals true cost of SunSmart light show
A Tasmanian business owner’s love of fire, lights and community led him to plunge huge sums into a beloved annual holiday tradition unique to Australia, but the walls are closing in on him.
Tasmania
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Each December, residents in Tasmania’s second largest city count down the days to an event purportedly unique to Australia: electrician Max Jago’s mind-melting pyrotechnic and audiovisual display, flames shooting from the roof of his house as reindeer and Christmas trees pulse in time to music.
So popular is the Launceston man’s SunSmart – the name of his solar installation business – Light Show, it drew a crowd of approximately 6000 to his residential street over the course of two-and-a-bit hours on Christmas Eve.
However, amid the exorbitant cost – Mr Jago claims he has spent about $350,000 over four years, comprising the cost of the gear, traffic management, public liability insurance and fuel for the flame jets – and ongoing tension with the City of Launceston as to the suitability of hosting the display at his residence, its future is uncertain.
“I wasn’t going to do it this year, as I really couldn’t afford do it,” he said.
“This year was the last year, unless we can get government or council funding.”
While Mr Jago believes he would be eligible for council’s small event sponsorship program – successful applicants can obtain up to $5000 – each instalment costs up to $15,000 to run.
Another possibility is ticketing. Mr Jago, who also hosts Spooktacular Lights each Halloween, ticketed this year’s event, recouping $5300. By contrast, soliciting donations on Christmas Eve secured just $200.
Mr Jago, who, in addition to his audiovisual wizardry is the force behind the Tas Christmas Lights website, said he doesn’t want the event to fall over.
“I think it’s awesome for the community. It’s unique for Launceston and we don’t get many unique events. It’s the only display in Australia with pyrotechnics on residential house synched to Christmas lights,” he said.
“Seeing all the kids absolutely enjoying themselves motivates you to go bigger and better each year.”
Part of Mr Jago’s financial strain relates to his inability to defray the cost, via his events company Max FX, of the $156,000 worth of pyrotechnic equipment he purchased.
“There’s just no market for it in Tasmania. Every music festival on the mainland has stage pyrotechnics, but you cannot get them hired out here. We thought we had the market to ourselves but there’s not the budget for it,” Mr Jago said.
“We’ve had two hires in three years.”
He said his blood boiled seeing pyrotechnics at the recent Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash T20 cricket match against Adelaide Strikers.
“Are you joking, they brought in a mainland pyrotechnics business to do what they could have gotten done locally,” he said.
Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said he was keen to meet with Mr Jago in the new year to discuss the “much-loved” event’s future.
“One of the questions is his venue and what comes with that regarding traffic management,” Mr Gibson said.
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Originally published as Max Jago: Launceston sparky reveals true cost of SunSmart light show
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