SENSE-ational Aireys mid-festival support – children’s lan

A lantern-lit walk from Split Point Lighthouse to Aireys Inlet Primary School will once again mark the winter solstice this month, with organisers inviting the broader community to take part.

The Mangowak Winter Solstice Lantern Parade has been incorporated into the inaugural Sensational Aireys festival, a five-week celebration featuring more than 40 events across the town.

Traditionally organised by the primary school, the lantern parade honours Painkalac Creek and the area’s Indigenous history, with the creek once associated with swan hunting.

Sensational Aireys organiser Caroline Lawrey said it was a natural fit for the new festival, which aims to showcase Aireys Inlet through a range of sensory experiences.

Locals and visitors are encouraged to create their own lanterns and join the community walk, while businesses throughout the township are invited to display lanterns as part of the celebration.

Running across five weekends in May and June, Sensational Aireys features more than 44 events spanning food, culture, art, wellness and nature.

Lawry said the broader festival was inspired by research into how sensory experiences help create lasting memories and stronger connections to place.

“We’ve got a sensory overload with our seascape, our nature and environment, but also taste, audio and so many sensory experiences that we can have down here,” she said.

The program highlights the town’s cultural diversity through a series of themed food events celebrating Greek, French, Italian, Indian and Asian influences alongside local Australian fare.

“We’ve been celebrating a different culture each week,” Lawry said. “Within a tiny community, we have got so much [to offer].”

Other events include a wellness day focused on food, aromatherapy and healing, art exhibitions, film screenings and nature-based experiences.

The response to the inaugural festival has already exceeded organisers’ expectations.

Many of the events are free, with a strong focus on accessibility and community connection.

“This isn’t about being commercial, it’s about celebrating Aireys… and giving people a destination,” Lawrey said.

She hopes the festival will become an annual fixture and encourage more people to visit the Surf Coast during the quieter winter months.

“It’s really bringing our community together,” Lawry said. ‘We are all recognising what we’ve got is extra special here.”

The Mangowak Winter Solstice Lantern Parade will take place on Friday 19 June. Attendees will meet at Split Point Lighthouse at 4.45pm.

 

 

To learn more about Sensational Aireys and view the full program of events, head to aireys.org.au