After our fantastic experience at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade last year, Noel and I knew we just had to go back again. Thanks to a last minute cancellation with the ghost tour, Noel was able to make it for the whole parade and festival (yay!)
Unfortunately, due to my problem shopping at the mall, we were a bit late to the festival. We arrived after dark, when the party was in full swing. But we jumped right in and enjoyed ourselves with a Magic Hat beer!
Folks with lanterns were starting to line up for the parade–one of the great things about the parade is that anyone can participate in the march around the park–so we were able to enjoy some of the stationary displays with lighter crowds.
This year there was a Day of the Dead theme to the displays that I don’t remember from last year’s festival, and it was a nice addition. I’ve been fascinated with Day of the Dead since I was in middle school Spanish class and we celebrated the holiday. I love the decorations and the idea of taking sweets to those that have passed on.
This carriage, which was also Day of the Dead themed (with Tibetan prayer flags, but hey, it still looked cool) was my favorite thing we saw all night. It was so detailed and looked like it was really mobile!
The horses were built on bikes!
And this skeleton, it was fantastic. It took four people to maneuver, but it was worth it–totally one of my favorites!
We met up with our friends Elizabeth and Jon Sookie and Bill! Their costumes were great!
We had a perfect vantage to see the parade as it came into the parade festival. There were a bunch of drum lines and step teams, which gave the parade a great beat!
Noel might have gone a little crazy for this next huge lantern. Screaming “I love you CAULIFLOWER!!!!” counts as crazy in my book!
Another favorite–the stilt bug!
Noel and I ended the night listening to Balti More, a great Eastern European band that was really getting the crowd going! We danced a bit and enjoyed our beer before heading home.
There was a rumor before the parade that this was the last year, because the parade’s founding director is retiring. The Creative Alliance folks said they’ll be back with another great event next year for Halloween (phew!) and I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
Happy Halloween Everyone!
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Beth, I’ve never heard of the lantern parade…and here it may be no more. It is clear that I need to get out more.
Wendi–the parade is really amazing, but I’ll admit I probably wouldn’t know about it if it didn’t happen in my neighborhood. You should check out next year’s event!
Looks like a blast! Sookie and Bill..that is great! I love creative Halloween costumes!
Looks like a blast and makes me wish I was there for Halloween since all we did her was go to a haunted house and then nothing else because we live off base.
Looks like fun, Beth! I’ve never gone to the Lantern Parade but maybe next year. Also, have you ever been to Azafran Cafe for their Day of the Dead celebration? Of course, I can’t find details about it. But they have an evening event and a week of Mexican lunches; there’s also an altar in the cafe where people can leave pictures or trinkets to remember loved ones. Sounds like it may be up your alley!
What a cool event Beth! Looks like you guys had a great time!
Jen–I’ve never heard about Azafran! Something to check out next year!
Looks like we missed a good time. Thwarted by theater once again.
What an awesome parade! That trumpet player looks like a trumpet player I went to Peabody with…only he seems to have a big beard now, so I guess it’s not him. Also, cauliflower lantern is random!
Jessica–there was a whole mess of produce lanterns…and farmers to go with them!