belgrave big and bright

I dropped in on the lantern making workshop at the Belgrave Library today, being held in preparation for Belgrave Big and Bright, the lantern festival to celebrate Winter Solstice.

People were enthusiastically taping together their lanterns with all sorts of elaborate designs being skilfully led by Renata who is a lantern maker extraordinaire, responsible for last year’s fabulous lyrebird lantern.

Me with Renata (left) - expert lantern maker and Rochelle (right) - one of the lantern festival organisers and Circus Artist with Circus Folk.

The lantern festival will be held next Saturday 20th June, details are:
* 4.00pm. Music in the streets from Mater Christi Youth band, Tang Jazz Band & Orphic Mystery
* 4.00pm – 8.00pm. Belgrave Library extended opening hours; with Rotary Sausage Sizzle in the forecourt.
* 4:45pm. Entertainment for lantern carriers at Assembly Point: St Thomas More's Parish carpark. Stax and Friends on didge; Holle & Power Youth Drumming group
* 5.00pm. Street performers; Circus Folk stilt walking & Creative Chaos wearable art
* 5.20pm. Join in the Community Singing with Barb McFarlane, Sassafras Singers and Sing Australia choirs at the assembly point before the Parade heads off.
* 5.30pm. Parade begins!
Enjoy Blazing Rhythm Fire Twirlers & Drummers, Gypsy Trance Belly Dancers, music and much more along the Parade route.
* 6.45pm. Parade Finale Song: join in a street long rendition of This Little Light of Mine, led by Barb McFarlane.
* 7.00pm: Enjoy all of the after Parade activities including Bedtime Stories at Belgrave Library; Lanterns & Singing with Barb at Earthly Pleasures; Tang Jazz at Oscars; Fire twirling, drumming and belly dancers in the Belgrave Town Park.
* 8.00pm: Caerleon Winter Solstice Celebration at Burrinja (Upwey)

This is a parade not to miss, beautiful to watch or to walk in.

As well as all of the events, Belgrave's unique cafes, venues and shops will be open before & after the parade for everyone to enjoy.