lighting the sun

We are lucky enough to live about 200 yards down the road from the site of a fantastic, magical community celebration — the Pender Island Magic Lake Lantern Festival.  Giant Puppets, Stilt Walkers, Fire Dancers, Shadow Puppets, Community Lantern Parade and a Kayak Ballet, all put to music.  It truly is a pagan spectacle!

2009 was the 11th year of the Festival, and there was lots of excitement around the ever-evolving show.  New participants and ideas brought new life.  Until the weather interrupted the start of the show.

Yup, it rained.  And it blew, too.  Parts of the perfomance had to be cancelled because of it.  My heart goes out to the performers, who I know practice long and hard.  I’m sorry you didn’t get to do the whole show — it must be disappointing.

That said, what we did get to see was great:

This is the only picture that we got of the kayak ballet, and does it no justice whatsoever.  You can see better pictures here.

New paper-maché lanterns

A performance by members of the Pender Island Choir, stilt walkers and street performers

And the evening always ends with sparklers for everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to put this years festival together.  Well done!