belgrave lantern parade, bigger than ever

An enormous crowd of both locals and visitors from further afield flocked to the Belgrave Lantern Parade, held on the 21st June to coincide with winter solstice. The footpaths were packed with onlookers whilst lantern paraders filled Burwood Highway to put on yet another display of the most extraordinary lanterns, drawing inspiration from every which way.

It is the largest local  community event in the Hills, now in its eighth year, a collaboration of many volunteers across an enormous range of organisations and funded in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council. My thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen, another truly memorable night in Belgrave.

Here's some pics from the night:

"Snowy" took the reins as parade organiser this year,
great job Snowy, everyone had a great time.

There was plenty of preparade entertainment.

Here's Tim and Emma from local community radio station
3MDR, doing an OB of the entire parade.

Nice to see parade favourite Thunderbird 2 lantern
take flight again for this year's parade

The splendid volunteers from DRERS, our local emergency
relief service, did a roaring trade in snags.
Pictured left to right: Carole, Cr Samantha, Tania and Bob.

 

The CFA led the brigade, followed by the Freemasons
who were celebrating 125years in Belgrave.

It takes the effort of many to put on an event of this scale,
here's Leanne from the Belgrave CFA doing some
crowd control and giant echidna lantern wrangling.

Of course Puffing Billy gets a lantern too, Belgrave is
the starting point for the heritage steam train.

Local wildlife found in waterways and muddy backyards
throughout the hills, the yabby, came in lantern form too.
This project was facilitated by the Southern Dandenongs
Landcare Group.

 

 

Here's the BeeGees (Birdsland Environment and Gardening
Group) supporting the Great Forest National Park #gfnp
accompanied by the Sherbrooke Amphipod lantern, a project
auspiced by Melbourne Water to raise awareness of endangered
creatures that inhabit our waterways.

 

 

 

have you got your lantern for the lantern parade?

One of the hills key events is coming up soon, yes it's that time again, winter solstice and the Belgrave Lantern Parade - 23 June.

Cr Samantha Dunn with this extraordinary lantern,
The Owl and the Pussycat, made by one of the
artists facilitating lantern workshops, Jane.

In the lead up to the parade, being held on Saturday 23 June, a number of workshops are being held so you can make your very own lantern, put some finishing touches on your lantern or revamp an old lantern.

Local artist, Emma Johnson is also part of the Lantern
Workshop team. Emma is creating these simple but
effective butterfly lanterns out of old milk & juice containers.
If you don't get a chance to make your own lantern, these
will be available on the night to purchase. 

It's been terrific to visit the various lantern workshops so far and see the creativity of people unleashed. It augers well for yet another stunning display of lanterns at this year's Belgrave Lantern Parade.

The recent Upwey Grassroots Market had a lantern
making workshop, pictured left to right:
Cr Samantha Dunn, Dianne Lagerway - Grassroots
Market organiser, Renate Crow - fantastic lantern
maker & Gill Cruikshank - fantastic lantern maker. 

If you'd like to find out when the workshops are being held visit the Belgrave Lantern Parade website.

The Belgrave Lantern Parade website also has details on lantern making tips, how to volunteer and FAQ's.

And don't forget to mark 23 June in your diary, whether you're a spectator or part of the parade this is a wonderful community event not to be missed.