INNISFAIL — Plans are speeding ahead for an expanded second annual edition of the Innisfail Lantern Festival; a free event designed this year for citizens to celebrate freedom from darkness and the shackles of the pandemic to a new liberating way forward.
Like Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, the focus is on celebrating a transformation from a “topsy-turvy time into an upside-down world”, and a gloriously celebratory one at that.
“This is an exciting time as we emerge from the depths of the rabbit hole and find our way to the other side of the mirror,” said Dale Dunham, an organizer for this year’s event, which is officially called the 2nd Annual Innisfail Lantern Festival – Through the Looking Glass.
“And so that was the whole idea behind Through the Looking Glass, this is where we are – we're in this dark place. Now we've come through that," he added. "And where do we go to now? How do we go there? How do we as a community continue on this path together?”
That dark place included COVID restrictions, a divided community and uncertainty for the future. Dunham is preparing for a celebration towards a brighter future, with a promise of glorious light that will come from the second annual lantern festival.
Dunham said this year’s location will be Centennial Park, which he feels will give everyone a better sense of openness and freedom than last year when there were gated entrances and monitored attendance at the Innisfail and District Historical Village due to COVID restrictions.
He said organizers have also decided to expand the created illumination beyond just lanterns.
“It's not just a lantern festival. It’s also going to have light installations,” said Dunham. “It'll be the use of light and shapes and the environment to create light installations as opposed to lanterns. So, it's both a lantern festival and illumination festival.”
Dunham is getting plenty of volunteer help for the festival, which is running from July 2 to 16. The volunteer team includes Jamie Wilson, Crystal Kemp, Talitha Watkinson, Tasha Busch, Heidi Nelson, Brandi Laughlin, Riki Findley, Sue Haddow and Cindy Bacque.
Leading up to the big party on July 16th there will be free lantern-making workshops on July 2 and 9th, with the sites still to be determined. The public can get more information on the event’s website at www.innisfaillanternfestival.ca
The July 16th celebration at Centennial Park, which is also fee to the public, is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The cookhouse and the bandstand will be focal points, as there will be a free barbecue from noon to 7 p.m., and music and performers at the bandstand beginning at 3 p.m.
There will be lantern-decorating from noon to 6 p.m., and Halia’s Helium will have face painting and glitter tattoos from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As well, there will be a Food Truck Festival within the main festival from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And then a Grand Finale Twilight Celebration will be held at dusk to illuminate everyone’s light creations.
“Last year was about hope. This year is about moving forward. You know, we're there now,” said Dunham, noting the July 16th event will have masks and hand-sanitizers available to anyone who desires them.
“And it's just going there together. It’s being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It's being a part of the community and us going hand in hand.
“But the fact is, is that we're a community and we need to support each other. And it's not just during tough times. It's all the time.”
