Lantern festival brings ‘strange magic’ to Picton

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
A parade of lanterns and light brought joy, colour and theatre to Picton, filled with delightful costumes, puppetry and musical accompaniment.

Firelight Lantern Festival festivities Saturday night began downtown at Picton’s Benson Park with a family-friendly gathering, which, judging by the number of people crammed into the large park, many took advantage of the free-of-charge show under a clear November sky.

The 12th annual Firelight Lantern Festival, hosted by the Department of Illumination, draws inspiration from traditions of many lantern festivals throughout the world which use light as a symbol to bring people together as darkness arrives earlier for the winter.

As folks mingled, the park soon became a sea of sparkling lights and lanterns and warmth, where many dressed for the occasion in random yet extravagant, theatrical ensembles, many illuminated too – all impressive in their creativity, and effort.

The sweet voices of the Aurora Borealis Community Choir filled the crisp air, where the choir provided delightful musical entertainment centred on the theme of light.

Next came the playing with fire part as entertainers with the North Fire Circus drew many vocal oohs and aahs and wows, as flames were tossed high in the air in spectacular fire spinning performances fit for the occasion of lighting up the night, and warming hearts.

Then it was time for the much-anticipated parade, a favourite for many, where the public is encouraged and invited to become part of the escapade.

Assembling and organizing themselves for the parade to begin (no easy feat with the vast crowd), the parade made the short trip up Ross Street, where it followed Main Street (closed to traffic for the occasion), all the way to the Crystal Palace, at the Picton fairgrounds.

A few hundred participants joined in, with lanterns attached to sticks drifting mid-air, and lights dangled around necks and other body parts. Costumes and fanciful outfits were proudly displayed, and there was even dancing in the street, inspired by the joyful music of Spencer Evans and the Goat Steppers who accompanied the parade route.

With a half moon prominent in the night sky providing its own magical light source, the joyful celebration of light on a chilly but still evening, intended to help push away the prolonged darkness that persists at this time of the year, to bring warmth and cheer, succeeded in its mission.

Celebrating its 12th year of magical celebration of light, the Department of Illumination conjured this year’s theme of “strange magic” which cast its spell interestingly, inside a glowing Crystal Palace, filled with clever light sources, decoration and wondrous art installations meant to enchant.

Once inside the palace of strange magic, illuminating art installations and puppetry, some of the very giant (but friendly) kind, something the Department of Illumination specializes in, dominated the historic space.

The celebratory mood continued with live music by the band Cat Named Earl, as many danced the night away. Captivating curiosities ripe for exploration included the fascinatingly mystical Museum of Uncommon Phenomena, and there was interactive shadow puppetry for the little (and bigger) ones to freely create and interpret, along with a house of cards.

Steps across from Crystal Palace, the Bluebird Building brought more light and colour extravagances in the form and art and black-light (a type of ultra-violet light) installations, along with a place to make a wish.

While many who walked the parade route remained outside the Crystal Palace for a while enjoying the revelry (and food trucks) before dispersing, it was a noticeably less-than-full building Saturday night. Admission at the door was $35 for adults and $10 for children.

The Department of Illumination’s websites indicates that as fall ends, and the darkness of winter descends, it is easy to feel isolated, especially living in a rural community.

“Our festival acts as a beacon to encourage our residents, both adults and children, to conjure their own light, bringing it into their hearts and homes to sustain them through the darkness.”