The end of the annual Swiss Italian Festa in Daylesford/Hepburn Springs brings with it one of my favourite nights of the year, The Lantern Parade.So yesterday Bren went and found 'the box of stuff you need to make a lantern'.
We make the same type of lantern every year so by now there's a bit of ritual to it.
First we drew our designs on a tin can.
Then we placed a piece of wood in the can and banged a sharpened nail along the design, puncturing holes as we went.
Here they are lining up ready to go.
We drove down to Hepburn and mingled amongst around 300 members of the community. At dusk we all lit our lanterns and walked down the candle lit path to the Mineral Springs Reserve where we were treated to the most amazing fireworks display I've seen in years.
After the fireworks we walked back up the hill in the dark really needing our lanterns for light.
I love the lantern parade because it is an ALL ages event, because of its strong sense of community, because there is nothing for sale, because it encourages home made and because it has become part of my family's history.
Our lanterns will now hang out on the deck for decoration on those lovely warm summer evenings.
Oh wow. how cool are they? they look fabulous!
ReplyDeletesomeone on the mm@m forum was wondering what to do with leftover cans ~ you should put this on there. such a great idea
Sounds like a really lovely night and your lanterns are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteohh, that looks like soo much fun! great idea to recycle the cans ♥
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ReplyDeleteThey look awesome! Sometimes the most simple things in life are the best!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of a brilliant movie... The Dancer Upstairs.... have you seen it? They guy makes something like this for the girl & it's really sweet!
Now you've made me feel all nostalgic! I miss small town culture and traditions.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family tradition!! I bet the girls love it.
ReplyDeleteAndi :-)
They look great, I have been saving up cans, was not sure what I was going to do with them ( they are in the "you know they will come in handy for something box")- know I know. It must have been a beautiful night.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! I will suggest it as a event we could start here! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteWish we could have gone but the kids were so tired & we just couldn't manage it. It is such a lovely event & the light from the lanterns so pretty and atmospheric. Glad you all had fun xo
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Kate, and yours look wonderful too. How nice to be able to use them on warm summer nights too, maybe you could put those little citronella candles in them to keep away the mozzies in summer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea! I love these lanterns :) K
ReplyDeleteOh Kate they are so lovely! I think I do need that Tupperware can opener now to make my edges nice and neat. Fantastic! xox
ReplyDeleteKate this is a great example of re purposing and community. Do you mind if I link it in the Forum at DTE ? Your lanterns are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. It is so special that you can create such wonderful family traditions and memories, whilst recycling and being part of a community. What a multi-tasker! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove the latterns Kate ~ that's a wonderful idea and it sounds like you all had a lot of fun too :O)
ReplyDeletethese are great - I think I will have to make some.
ReplyDelete'nothing for sale' - love it.
btw, do you have a sister Meg? I saw on your Mum's book her surname was Ulman. I worked with Meg briefy at ICLEI...
beautiful lanterns!
ReplyDeleteOh I love a lantern parade! The tin cans work brilliantly!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous festival to be involved in each year - and to have the lanterns 'haning around' after makes a lovely memory trigger.
ReplyDeleteI just realized you are meg's sister!!!!! What a talented bunch you are. I have been reading her blog from the beggining and now I will have to read yours. So creative. Your parents mustbe very proud.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fairy lights :) I *heart* them.
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