By JESSE GRAHAM
A FESTIVAL to light up Yarra Glen’s small lake is coming, and residents are being invited to take part and make their own floating lantern.
The Yarra Glen Festival of Light this winter will be held at Yarra Glen’s lake, in front of the IGA supermarket, from 5.30pm on Saturday 22 August.
Organised by the Community Fun Projects Group, with help from the Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre, residents will be able to make and release their own floating lantern onto the lake as the sun sets.
According to the group, the aim of the event is to bring the community together for a winter event, combining the work of residents, artists and groups in Yarra Glen.
The lanterns will be similar to Chinese floating lanterns, with jars filled with candles floating on wooden boards across the lake.
With enough attendees and enough candles, the entire lake could be lit up with individually designed lanterns until the lights flicker out, making the area an ephemeral artwork.
Living and Learning Centre office and program co-ordinator Debra Traill told the Mail that the festival had widespread support from Yarra Glen’s community groups, with the Chamber of Commerce throwing its support behind the idea.
The Yarra Glen Festival of Light Facebook page also noted that businesses have donated materials for the night, including drums for fire pits and tissue paper for the lanterns.
In preparation for the event, the Living and Learning Centre is holding a lantern making workshop on Saturday 15 August from 4pm-6pm, with the help of local artist, Elisabeth Bromley.
Residents can come along and create their own lantern to release on the night, and the organising group is looking for donations of glass jars and materials, which can be donated to the Living and Learning Centre, Hargreaves Hill and Melba Lodge.
For more information on the festival, visit www.facebook.com/yarraglenwinterlights or www.yarraglenwinterlights.com.au.
Sign-up sheets for the workshop can be found at the Reading Room at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall, or in the Facebook event on the page.
