Baltimore To Debut New Festival In 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore gets ready to turn on the lights in a brand new festival next year.

Pat Warren reports the economic impact of the event is expected to be huge.

Say hello to Light City Baltimore, a high voltage exhibit running on the current of innovation and art, and on the currency of tourism.

"Thirty percent of our travelers came to Baltimore for events, for cultural events, for festivals, etc. So it's a big part of what we're doing every year," said Tom Noonan, Visit Baltimore.

We Marylanders are no strangers to high-energy displays -- seeing our names in lights, our home team logos lasered on highrises, neon colors plastered on the canvas of downtown buildings.

Now, imagine a laser-y, Artscape-y, live entertainment, five neighborhoods across the city's public arts project featuring local talent.

The lead sponsor the festival is Baltimore-based BGE. The festival is privately funded.

The festival begins March 28.