The rain might have been too much for the Vikings, but the Lismore Lantern Parade will be going ahead this weekend with predictions for fine weather.
The Viking Village Soltice, which was to be held at Jolley Field in Lismore has been postponed because the field is too soggy, however organisers of the Lantern Parade say their show will go on.
The Vikings usually set up their village to coincide with the parade, but a message posted to their Facebook page indicates the rain has been a bit too much.
‘Thanks to the capriciousness of the rain gods, Jolley Field is too wet for us to set up camp. So like real Vikings of old, we’re going to return when it is warmer and dryer and continue with our plan to raid and ransack Lismore … no, I mean … put up our village and settle down, be good neighbours and traders … yeah, that’s exactly what I meant. Come see us on Jolley Field on 19/20 AUGUST.” the post says.
Meanwhile, the parade, which will be held on Saturday at 5.30pm, will be going ahead following a massive effort by organisers and volunteers to repair lanterns damaged in the March flood.
With the theme, Our Resilient Heart, the parade will culminate with the Fiery Finale at Oakes Oval that will focus on the the people of Lismore and the flood.
Organiser Jylie Jackson said the clean-up had been an ‘intense and full-on experience but we’re getting there step-by-step,’ she said.
‘We lost about twenty of the big lanterns and we had about 200 lanterns which were either damaged or destroyed.
‘We’ve mended about 100 of them, putting in new lighting systems, disinfecting, repapering and redecorating.
Ms Jackson said the repairs had been carried out by a small but committed bunch of volunteers, along with community groups chipping in to help.
The festival will also feature markets, musical stages and a children’s stage featuring magicians and performers.
