Glowing return for Lantern Parade

THOUSANDS are expected to gather for this year’s Lismore Lantern Parade, which returns to Oakes Oval for its fiery finale on Saturday June 21.

The parade will feature about 300 lanterns and cap off a full day of festivities, with market stalls and activities from noon and the parade starting at 5.30pm.

Tweed Regional Gallery artistic director Jyllie Jackson said around 32,000 people were expected to attend.

“Oakes Oval is a whole different ball game for us, but it will all be worth it,” she said.

“It’s going to be special; it’s an incredible community event which brings friends and family together.

“We rely on donations and the support of our volunteers who are all getting older.

“This year we will have a lantern in the parade as a memorial to Heather Wood; she was one of our great volunteers who passed away recently.”

The fiery finale will be based on the Return of the Sun, a nod to Chinese Year of the Snake, which represents transformation.

Volunteers can still be involved in last-minute lantern making this week, with about 2000 people needed to carry them in the parade.

“There is going to be a great view along the bottom of Magellan and Dawson Street,” Ms Jackson said.

“We try and look after as many people as we can with tickets and seating. Volunteers will have a dedicated space inside the oval.”

The first lantern parade involved only a few hundred participants and a small crowd 31 years ago.

It still runs on a small group of volunteers who need extra support and donations to keep the event at a high standard.

“If anyone can help, especially in the lead-up, it would be greatly appreciated,” Ms Jackson said.

“The kids from Evans Head K–12 School have been involved this year and they’ve done a fantastic job.

“We’ll be handing out cards at the event where people can use the QR code to make donations which are tax deductible, too.”

Tickets for grandstand seating and the parade map can be found at lismorelanternparade.com.au.

Volunteers looking to get involved can email [email protected]