By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Folks of all ages ventured out to the Bellforge Arts Center this past Saturday night to participate in the eagerly awaited Lantern Parade and Festival. This event had been rescheduled earlier this year due to poor weather conditions. Many locals had been waiting since early February to finally show off their handcrafted lanterns, as a workshop had taken place during the winter months to prepare for this event.
As the event was originally slated for early March, the date change was a blessing in disguise as this past Saturday night hosted clear skies and a pleasantly warm, yet comfortable climate.
Families were able to enjoy food trucks, ice cream, and live music while everyone awaited for the sun to begin its descent from the sky. The Bellforge also provided a lantern making station on the grounds for any attendees who wanted to participate in the parade but did not craft one beforehand.
As the sun was beginning to set, Magnificent Danger, a local marching band, took to the stage and played tunes inspired by video games and Japanese anime, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere. After the band closed out their final song on the stage, everyone was instructed to head over to the walkway to line up so the parade could begin.
Magnificent Danger led the parade, providing a soundtrack for the march around the Bellforge. Attendees both big and small toted their unique and colorful creations, of all different shapes and sizes, illuminating the dusk hours at the Bellforge Arts Center. Every lantern acted as a symbol for the light that each of us hold inside of our hearts that guide us through our lives. These lanterns displayed community spirit as they lit up the evening.
Although many months had elapsed from its original scheduled date, it is safe to say that this event was worth the wait. The variety and creativity that each lantern encaptured and the smiling faces displayed the success of this event.
For more information on events such as this one, please visit: bellforge.org/events/.
