More Than 200 Lanterns Paraded In Botany Light Festival

More than 200 Botany children showed off their handmade lanterns at Botany Town Centre in the very first Botany Light Festival, supported by the Botany Community Board and the Uxbridge Centre.

The rain did not dampen the spirits and energy of the children who eagerly awaited the signal to illuminate their lanterns last Thursday evening, proudly parading them through Market Square alongside professional fire performers.

The Botany Light Festival included a community concert, featuring local music and dance talent, as well as fire performers who conducted a show throughout the parade. The Botany Light Festival was the first of its kind at Botany Town Centre and showed the vibrancy and diversity of the Botany community.

Botany Town Centre Senior Marketing Manager Desiree Clark says, “Botany Town Centre is delighted to have been a part of the first Botany Light Festival. It is always a pleasure for us support and help our local community, and we love to see the diverse talent and creativity of our youth.”

Tutors from Uxbridge Arts Centre worked with children aged eight to 11 from seven Botany-area schools to create the unique lanterns for the festival. Each handmade lantern took three hours to construct and is lit internally with a coloured light. The lanterns are then displayed on a large bamboo pole.

Uxbridge Event Manager Ashley Grogan says, “It was an absolutely brilliant evening and we were so pleased. Even though it rained, Botany Town Centre was able to provide an alternative option for the night. There was a great turnout of more than 200 kids who were so excited to start the parade. They had smiles as bright as their lanterns.

“The Botany Light Festival is a lovely event idea that brings the whole community together. Botany Town Centre is an ideal spot for an event like this because it brings people together and is an enjoyable area with entertainment, food, and shopping.”

Children attended two lantern workshops to learn how to make lanterns by weaving a basket and adding a special cling wrap around it to create a unique chrysalis effect. Students from Baverstock Oaks Primary, Willowbank School, Mission Heights Primary, Elim School, Botany Downs Primary, Pointview School and Star of the Sea will have their work showcased in the parade.

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