By Derek Schlennstedt
The eleventh annual Belgrave Lantern parade is just around the corner, and you can not only take part in the event but also learn how to make wonderful and intricate lanterns.
Belgrave Library will be holding Lantern making workshops every weekend until Saturday 17 June.
The workshops, are split into advanced, beginner, and intermediate classes, and Lantern co-ordinator Renate Crow said the classes were tailored for all different skill ranges.
“There are different types of levels for everyone,” Renate said.
“There are super simple ones, then there are also intermediate lantern workshops which include star shapes and snowflakes – these take longer to build and the paper is a bit trickier to put together.
“The advanced workshops are where you can basically make any shape you like … previously we’ve had rhinoceros heads and a blue tongue lizard, so that’s where that workshop is aimed.”
Each year, the festival has attracted thousands of people and this year the festival promises bigger and better lanterns.
There’s also the chance to become involved in the festival, and to ensure the event runs smoothly organisers rely on volunteers.
Volunteers can expect to do a variety of jobs in the lead-up to the event and also mainly during the festival.
These jobs include, carrying lanterns, directing traffic and helping put out signs.
“It would be great to have some help,“ Renate said. “On the night is probably where our greatest need is at the moment, but we’d could also use some help probably two weeks before putting up signs.”
“On the festival night, we’ll need some lanteneers to carry lanterns, especially some of our big stock lanterns such as the big cockatoo.
“We also need Martials to help mind the street, they actually get the best view of the entire parade because they are in the middle of it all.”
The workshops taking place in the lead-up to the festival do have costs associated with them, however Renate said she was running a free workshop on 11 June teaching how to make balloon lanterns.
“I wanted something to be free, so everyone can be included, no matter your financial situation you can come in and build a lantern.”
To book a workshop or register interest in becoming a volunteer visit http://www.belgravelanterns.org.au/
