The Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade
The Jamaica Pond Lantern Parades will be October 23 and 24 at dusk (6pm), starting from The Boat House.
Lantern Making Workshops
Lantern-making workshop will be held on October 19th, 20th, and 21st from 4-7pm, at Spontaneous Celebrations (45 Danforth St)
Please RSVP to femke@spontaneouscelebrations.org
Buying Lanterns
You can buy lantern kits at local shops starting on October 12th.
$5 Lantern making kits will be available at ULA Cafe and Boing "JPs toy store" (you will need your own scissors and glue...).
City Feed and Supply will have ready made lanterns in their windows at both locations for a $10+ donation.
There will also be lanterns available for sale at the parade, as well as plenty of candles.
If you have lanterns from prior years at home, please bring them!
"Bringing light into darkness..."
The ritual of the Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade began in 1984 when people gathered to make a journey with their candle-lit lanterns around Jamaica Pond. In preparation for the Lantern Parade, Spontaneous Celebrations and community members host lantern making workshops in which youth and adults of all ages create beautiful handmade lanterns from recycled soda bottles decorated with colorful tissue paper. The festival also involves local businesses who sell handmade lanterns in their shops. By the night of the festival, several thousand people have made lanterns. Each year approximately 4,000 people arrive at Jamaica Pond at sunset with their lanterns; many children arriving in full Halloween costume as well. The parade proceeds around the pond, bringing a trail of bouncing lights into the darkness that can be seen from all directions. This beautiful autumn evening ceremony has become an annual tradition in our community. The Lantern Parade has its cultural roots in Dutch tradition. It reflects our dedication to building community by exploring old and creating new cultural traditions.
For more pictures from past Lantern Parades, click here.
