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Esquimalt Lantern Festival
Description
The sun is going down, and the creatures are stirring….
Bring a lantern and join us on Friday, Sept 13 to experience a unique, magical evening unlike anything else in the township!
6-8pm – PRE-SUNSET GATHERING
Live music! Roaming puppets! Food vendors! Larger-than-your-head bubbles! Face painting! Lantern-making!
8-10pm AFTER DARK EXPLORING
Use your lantern to guide you through the ENCHANTED FOREST and MAGICAL GARDEN where you will find yourself transported into a different world. The trees will be lit with handmade lanterns and lights, there will be GIANT glowing puppets, and live acoustic music by Victoria’s best musicians. Come experience the magic!
We are in desperate need of VOLUNTEERS to make it all happen!!
To sign up CLICK HERE: https://signup.com/go/hAUCLqh
To sign up CLICK HERE: https://signup.com/go/hAUCLqh
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?
Bring a lantern! (LED only)
Don’t have one? Search DIY Lantern on YouTube!
OR you can make a quick one at the event itself!
In a rush? Throw a glow stick into a plastic bottle, attach a string and ta da – instant lantern!
OR you can make a quick one at the event itself!
In a rush? Throw a glow stick into a plastic bottle, attach a string and ta da – instant lantern!
Wear a costume!
Our theme this year is CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN. Ooooooo. What does that even mean? Who knows! Perhaps there will be wizards, or elves, or cardboard gnomes, or princess’ with warts, or animals with wonky heads?? Let your inner creature run wild. Do you have anything that lights up? Wrap those fairy lights around your shoulders and hurrah! No pressure though – “normies” are welcome too. 
Magically transport yourself to the park!
PARKING IS LIMITED. Don’t miss out on the event by circling around. If you are able….use an alternative mode of transportation. Here are some options…
– BIKE from downtown (15min ride) – there are now protected bike lanes all the way to Gorge Park. See map HERE
– BUSES #14, #11 & #26 all bring you within a 5min walk of the park.
– Park at FAIRWAY MARKET (272 Gorge Rd) and walk over (10 min walk).
– BIKE from downtown (15min ride) – there are now protected bike lanes all the way to Gorge Park. See map HERE
– BUSES #14, #11 & #26 all bring you within a 5min walk of the park.
– Park at FAIRWAY MARKET (272 Gorge Rd) and walk over (10 min walk).
WHO WILL BE THERE?
Mixed.Media.Monsters with a giant Glow Fish, a life-sized quarter-horse, and a giant skeleton.
SNAFU Theatre with a brand new, never before seen giant puppet, and roaming puppets.
Puente Theatre with a 12ft glowing Alebrije puppet & History2Life giant puppets!
Wonderheads with a puppet that has a glowing heart and face that floats through the forest.
Story Theatre creating an environment for young ones to explore.
The Capital City Syncopators with Avram McCagherty (banjo), Matt Pease (drums), Simon Stribling (trumpet), Don Cox (tuba), and guest Brooke Maxwell (sax). Get ready to dance!!
Kelby MacNayr (percussion) in the Enchanted Forest
Aaron Watson (saw, accordion, flute) in the Enchanted Forest
Kai Taddei (violin) in the Magical Garden.
Rebecca Guineau (cello) in the Magical Garden.
Aaron Watson (saw, accordion, flute) in the Enchanted Forest
Kai Taddei (violin) in the Magical Garden.
Rebecca Guineau (cello) in the Magical Garden.
Giant bubbles by That Bubble Guy
Glow-in-the-dark face painting by Funky Brush
A troup of local puppeteers!!
Food by Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre
Plus MORE!
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Contact our Artistic Producer Jessica Hickman at esqlanternfest@gmail.com
Thank you to our incredible sponsors…
BC Arts Council
Township of Esquimalt
Tudor House Liquor Store
Country Grocer
Seaspan
Esquimalt United Church
Township of Esquimalt
Tudor House Liquor Store
Country Grocer
Seaspan
Esquimalt United Church
Photos
