With just one week to go before the Ulverston Lantern Festival on September 17th, kits containing everything needed to make a lantern will be on sale at the Ulverston Charter Market on Saturday.
More than 300 kits have already been sold, and demand for lantern materials normally reach their peak in the week leading up to the event, so the organisers are expecting record sales this year which also means another huge ‘River of Light’ procession through the town.
The ‘On the Screen’ theme for the 2022 festival is exciting lantern-makers who are drawing inspiration from Star Wars, Disney and Marvel movies, children’s TV characters, and computer games.
Lantern-making kits are available for £5 each from Appleseeds in Market Street, the Book Shack in the Market Hall, The Cumbria Way in Upper Brook Street, and Croftlands Launderette. They contain willow withies, paper, PVA glue, masking tape, wire and a candle – everything needed to make a lantern. However, some lanterneers are more ambitious in their plans and have been contacting the organising committee for more materials.
Lantern workshops start this weekend in the old St John Ambulance Station in The Ellers (LA12 0AB), where makers can get materials and practical advice on how to build the best lanterns. The workshops are on Saturday and Sunday (Sept 10th and 11th) from 2.00pm to 6.00pm, and Monday to Friday (Sept 12-16) from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
Committee chair Chris Nelson says the processions will be spectacular: ‘I have already seen a couple of the giant lanterns and they are really impressive. There will be big lanterns leading each of the four processions which will come together outside The Coro in County Square around 8.00pm, before combining into one big procession making its way up to Ford Park for the big firework finale starting at 9.00pm.’
The organisers are still looking for extra volunteers to help steward the processions and man the barriers which will close roads around the town centre from around 6.30pm to 9.30pm, to ensure the safety of those taking part and the crowds attending the Festival. Volunteers please contact Chris Nelson on 07761 930627 or email chris@trafalgar-pr.co.uk
The Lantern Festival community event is self-funding with support from local companies such as education specialists CGP Books, and from Ulverston Town Council and South Lakeland District Council. But most of the £10,000 needed to run the event each year comes from sales of Lantern Kits and cash – coins and notes donated by crowds on the night itself.
To find out more about the festival go to the Facebook page or visit ulverstonlanternfestival.org.
