belgrave lights up

Last Saturday saw thousands of locals come out to support the Lantern Festival in Belgrave. Once again the festival was well supported by the community, the streets filled with people either watching the parade or locals marching with a cavalcade of creative lanterns.

The Mater Christi College School Band started the festival's proceedings by providing some street music.
The lantern festival is a great opportunity to be creative and be part of a wonderful community celebration.

The Belgrave Bendigo Bank are keen supporters of the lantern parade and were out in force supplying the crowd with glow products.
Stax provided entertainment while the crowds gathered.
The Crowd gathered at Hayes Car Park to assemble for the parade.

Emma from Tecoma Primary School led the parade with her Olympic Torch lantern.

Renata was joined by fellow Pharaohs to create this magnificent sphinx lantern.

The Upwey Scouts were there in an amazing lantern creation with room for the entire troupe.

Jordan Crooka from Sherbrooke Community School created a Sea Shepherd lantern, there's no doubting his passion for all things Sea Shepherd.

After the lantern parade, festival goers were treated to belly dancing and fire twirling.

lantern festival coming soon

With less than one week to go it's time to hone your lantern making skills for this year's Lantern Parade, Make it Yours, in Belgrave. 2010 marks the fourth year of this terrific community celebration of winter solstice.

Me at last year's lantern festival, every year the festival goes from strength to strength, great to parade or just to watch, there's something for everybody.

You can come along and walk in the parade with your lantern or join onlookers along Burwood Highway to watch the beautiful display of lanterns created by a diverse group of community members.

If you're marching in the parade assemble from 4:45pm at Hayes Car Park (in between Book Barn and La Collina) where you'll start the parade by walking down Blacksmiths Way at the rear of the shops.

For those coming along for viewing, the parade is due to start at 5:30pm. Make it Yours Belgrave Lantern Parade includes music, circus performance, drumming and much much more. It's a wonderful event, I've always been a keen supporter of the festival assisting wherever I can to make sure the event is a success.

What: Make it Yours - Lantern Parade, Belgrave
Cost: absolutely free and proudly supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges
Where: Burwood Highway Belgrave and surrounds
When: Saturday 19^th June
5:00pm
Street performers from Circus Folk, Creative Chaos and Ruccis
5:30pm – 7pm
Burwood Highway closed for the 2010 Belgrave Lantern Parade
Performances by Fire Twirlers
Gypsy Trance and Mystique Academy Belly Dancers
Community Drummers
Singers from: VoKallista, Sweet Sassafras, Sing Australia & Singularity
Rudy the One Man Band,
Yorick the Tin Whistling Jester
6:45pm
Choirs at Hayes Car Park area
Lanterns welcome at Earthly Pleasures garden for a beautiful display
AFTER PARADE ACTIVITIES
Snuggle up for Bedtime Stories at Belgrave Library
Join the singers in Hayes Car Park
Feel the rhythm at the Town Park with drumming, fire twirling & belly dancers
Join the Lantern Parade party at Bells Tavern
Visit one of Belgrave's many cafes, restaurants and nights spots – that's what I'll be doing, hope to see you there!