Article brought to you by Lake Gregory Recreation
Article and photo by Christina Hernandez
On Saturday June 8, 2019, Lake Gregory held its 2nd Annual Water Lantern Festival. This event started at 5:30 p.m. and lasted until 10 pm at Lake Gregory Regional Park. Tickets included a wristband for entry to this event, as well as a floating lantern to launch on the water, a drawstring bag, a battery-operated candle, and a marker to decorate your lantern. All lanterns provided for this event were made of 100% eco-friendly materials like rice paper and wood, which provide a safe and easy clean up after the festival.
Prior to the spectacle of thousands of beautiful and unique lanterns being released on the water, guests who attended the festival were able to explore and enjoy countless vendors while grooving to a live DJ. The festival was overall a family friendly experience, which served to bring our wonderful mountain community together. Guests who participated in the launch decorated their lanterns with beautiful pictures, admirable quotes, and expressions of their hopes and dreams.
For many, this festival was a time for healing, as well as commemorating those loved ones they have lost. For others, it was a time for unity and celebration of their recent achievements and milestones. The Inland Empire Water Lantern Festival gives friends, family, and neighbors the chance to create unique and extraordinary memories together that they can cherish forever. This event was certainly unforgettable. An estimated 2,000 lanterns were launched at the festival, which made for a serene and enchanting display.
For more information on the next Lantern Festival, visit www.waterlanternfestival.com to plan your visit to the next Annual Inland Empire Water Lantern Festival on beautiful Lake Gregory. Be sure to follow the Mountain Reporter on Facebook and visit our website www.mountainreporter.com to be the first to know all about local events near you.