With just under 5,000 people including performers, workers, schools and volunteers, the 2021 Lismore Lantern Parade and accompanying festival was a sold-out event celebrating light.
Though most of the lanterns in the parade were old favourites, the view was entirely new with those gathered getting a more distant perspective, a better aspect for many of the larger lights.
Early Sunday morning organisers were packing up, cleaning up and some of the crew are still on-site Sunday afternoon.
Creative Director Jyllie Jackson says it was a very challenging year, COVID notwithstanding, with a new venue and systems, relentless bullying, and a huge site to work with. ‘Our Team was beyond amazing, the adversities seemed to bring us together more powerfully with so much generous goodwill.’
In the weeks leading up to the event a well known local pot-stirrer broadened their sphere and set their sights on the event, to little affect – the event was sold out days before the gates opened with several punters saying they bought tickets in spite of the nasty tactics.
Ms Jackson said the first RegenExpo and HiveMind sessions, although small, were really successful, as were other new initiatives like the Green Couture Catwalk Parade.
‘It was so great to have special Costa Geogiardis and the Gang from Dirtgirl and the parade and fiery finale were fabulous. People loved that they could see the whole parade (well almost) at once in the arena.
The evening was cold with a strong breeze crossing the Showgrounds but people punters just added more layers. ‘The Firey Finalé was so beautiful, the wind slowed down perfectly for the bonfire and pyrotechnics! Some people said it was our best ever,’ said Ms Jackson.
Next year?
‘Who knows, we don’t know what will happen next week at the moment!’
Photos Tree Faerie