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Dream on for Lantern Festival

Jyllie Jackson, composer Fred Cole and the lantern parade helpers get ready for this Friday night's parade through the CBD.

When Jyllie Jackson dreamt of making the biggest lantern ever seen on the North Coast for this year's Lantern Parade, her helpers had no idea what she'd roped them into.

Six rolls of gaffer tape, 50 bamboo sticks, 20 kilograms of cane and 1,000 metres of paper later Jyllie and her volunteers completed the massive lantern, but only just in time.

The magnificent lantern is a 7-metre high by 4.5-metre long 'Dream Boat' - the centrepiece of the spectacular finale at the Lantern Parade this Friday evening, June 22.

Jyllie said the design for the Dream Boat was inspired by the students of Modanville Primary School, who were instrumental in saving the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.

"Lillith Rocha, better known as The Echo's stargazer, wrote the story of the Dream Boat as a theme for the parade," Jyllie said.

"The story is all about the importance of dreams, and how we can all make a difference in the world. For the finale we've used the beautiful visual image of the butterfly to symbolise our dreams and remind us of the students at Modanville School who made their dreams come true.

"They are a living example of what we can do when we share our dreams and work together to achieve them. The big lantern is a great example of this too. It started as a dream, but thanks to the willingness of our Work for the Dole participants and volunteers - many travelled from as far away as the Gold Coast - the lantern is now a reality."

The Lantern Parade begins tomorrow with a winter market in Magellan Street from 12pm. There will be art and craft stalls and displays from community groups as well as bubbles and face painting for the kids. Remember also to book your table for dinner on Friday night at one of many cafes in the CBD, as the businesses have opened especially to cater for parade goers.

If you want to have a look at the lanterns before the parade or just join in the march, gather in Spinks Park from 5 to 5.30pm. The parade will set off at 5.40pm.

A variety of local community groups have sponsored and decorated little Dream Boats for the parade including the Wilson River Landcare Group, NORPA, the Big Scrub Environment Centre and Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future (ENuFF). There will also be a special Reconciliation Dream Boat, which was decorated by children at a recent Sorry Day family picnic in Heritage Park.

After winding its way around the CBD block, the procession will move down to the Rowing Club Carpark for the Lantern Parade's spectacular fire finale and the unveiling of the giant Dream Boat.

The finale will feature a dance production by 50 students from Trinity Catholic College and Richmond River High School to music especially written by composer, Fred Cole.

Fittingly, the students of Modanville Primary School will also perform the 'Butterfly Song' with their families.

To follow, Jyllie has created a shadow puppet theatre show telling the story of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly and its rescue from extinction.

The culmination of the day's events will be the burning of the Dream Boat lantern on the Wilson's River accompanied by a fireworks display. (Jyllie said the lantern is made from non-toxic materials and will not cause damage to the river).

Don't forget that after the parade, you can enjoy dinner in a CBD restaurant or café.

Popular Lismore band El Gonzo Green will also be playing a free concert on the streets.

If the weather looks dismal tomorrow (history suggests it will - but cross your fingers!) Jyllie will decide the fate of the parade at 4pm. Listen to 2ZZZ or 2LM at 4pm for details, or phone 6622 0122.

If the parade has to cancelled due to bad weather, it will be held next Friday, June 29.

Story & photo: Terra 'light up' Sword