Harvest time

AN OUTDOOR festival, in the middle of winter, in Lismore. It could be a recipe for disaster, but the Lantern Parade and its ever-expanding spin-off events bring thousands of people out into the streets every year to celebrate the longest night and the spirit of community in this town.

On Tuesday night, May 15, sponsors and organisers gathered at the Palate at the Gallery restaurant to launch the 19th Lantern Parade.

Artistic director Jyllie Jackson said the theme for this year's festival would be "harvest".

"The Lantern Festival is about our connection to the seasons, which is why it's held on the winter solstice, the beginning of when the sun returns," Jyllie said. "It was a natural progression because we've had 'the seed' and 'the great garden' themes, so next comes 'the harvest'.

"There is a movement here to grow your own food and buy locally, but we've extended the idea of the harvest to think about ideas and creativity and harvesting that talent. The Lantern Parade is a celebration of all the things that we care about in the Northern Rivers. Art, ideas, passion and compassion, caring and connection," she said.

A new website was also launched at lanternparade.com.