What many of the punters who turn out in their droves for Lismore’s Lantern Parade don’t know  is that it is all down to one woman – the tireless artistic director, Jyllie Jackson.  “My original vision for the festival was for something that would light the streets with optimism and hope,” she says.  “If I look back at how small we were when we began it’s hard to believe that now we draw 30,000 visitors to Lismore for that one night.”

Jyllie Jackson: Founder and Artistic Director of the Lismore Lantern Parade.

It’s no mean feat to create an ongoing annual event, let alone one that’s run for 21 years.  “We’re actually getting people who came to the first ones as children, coming with their children,” says Jackson.  “It’s a wonderful feeling to have created something which is truly for the community, and which is so completely embraced by everybody.”  A highlight for this year will be the entertainment in the oval prior to the finale which includes a Viking battle.

Growth means changes, and with the changes came a permanent residence for the parade, with its parent body, LighnUp producing shows all-year round.  This year the parade promises to be more spectacular than ever with its theme ‘Love a Parade – Festivals of the World’.  It involves participants from throughout the Northern Rivers as well as visitors to the region who have attended workshops in lantern, mask and costume making, the finale show, carnival dance and ten parade bands.  “It’s a massive celebration of – well – everything that makes this region so eclectic and wonderful,” says Jackson. “It’s community, art and nature, arts and crafts, food, street theatre, music, dance, puppets, fine art…the list goes on and every year it’s different, but its essential element of connecting to community stays the same.”

This year the Lismore Lantern Parade is on Saturday June 20.  There are events on all day, with the main Lantern Parade beginning at 5.30pm on the corner of Market and Molesworth Streets. For more details go to the program: lanternparade.com/program There are family tickets in the grandstands and grass seating.

Photography by Natsky.

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