This time next week, the Lismore CBD will be filled with family and friends enjoying a sunny winter day and enjoying the start of the 2024 Lismore Lantern Parade.

The winter solstice (the shortest amount of daylight) is typically celebrated on June 22, this year that happens to be on the very day when Jyllie Jackson and her team will be celebrating the 30th Lismore Lantern Parade.

A quick visit to headquarters found a tired (but not yet exhausted) team frantically trying to put the final touches to this year's event.

As it is the 30th anniversary, some lanterns have been resurrected (after they were damaged by flood), given a makeover and will make their first appearance in a decade.

"There's a few," CEO and Creative Director of Lightnup Inc Jyllie Jackson told the Lismore App, "We would have loved to have had more, but time, people and resources have been against us."

"But, we've got the wild and wicked Septimus stepping out for the first time in 15 years, maybe more. He's a monster. In our story, he represents greed, and selfishness, and the entitlement of people these days, so, he works. He will be walking in the parade and he will also be in the finale as well."

"We also have the babushkas, who were made by one of our longtime artists, Kathy McCormack who now lives in Melbourne. There's a lot of transfer of energy between Lismore and Melbourne. There is three of them and they will be carried by one of the schools."

"Then there's the Frog Prince, who was made many years ago by Martin Pedder, who is now an upholsterer supreme. He'd been through several floods over time, and he survived. He was made out of metal, so he's been stripped and sanded back and refurbished by Junia Wolfe, who's one of our main artists here now."

While some old lanterns are making a return, there are some new businesses who will be making their first appearance at the 2024 Lismore Lantern Parade.

"We've got Magenta Community Services, who are took over from the wonderful Northern Rivers Conservatorium, to whom we are amazingly grateful, as sponsors of the Heartbeat Festival Stage along with Southern Cross University. They provide support services for people with disabilities and have offices in northern NSW and southern Queensland."

"Magenta have also refurbished one of the big hearts and they've collected participants from all over the region and have made hearts. I don't know the exact number, but I think it's in the vicinity of 500 paper hearts which they will stick on their big heart. That's really lovely."

"Lifeblood will be carrying a red heart lantern. If we had more resources and staff we would have made something a little more unique. Our biggest problem is we lost so many lanterns in the flood and we need to buy more materials, and a lot of the materials we can't get anymore. So, we're having to be very resourceful and rebuilding slowly, slowly while not burning everybody out, which we're doing quite a good job of."

"We've got Lismore Pride for the first time, spearheaded by Alex from The Boy's Hair and Makeup and his crew. He's made a big Q, and they've made a whole bunch of little Q's.

If you have ever wanted to see firsthand what goes into making a lantern, Jyllie has some workshops coming up in the next week.

"We've got workshops at Lismore Square this weekend and during the week where people and children get to decorate lanterns. "

Jyllie said that so far, her team has made over 1,700 lanterns because students are so time-poor due to their education, they don't have time for art.

They are free but you do have to book in for them.

The lantern workshop schedule is:

• Saturday 15 June 10am – 11am
• Saturday 15 June 2.30pm – 3.30pm
• Wednesday 19 June 3.30pm – 4.30pm
• Wednesday 19 June 4.30pm – 5.30pm
• Thursday 20 June 3.30pm – 4.30pm
• Thursday 20 June 4.30pm – 5.30pm

It is free, but you do have to register, which can be done here.

The workshop area won't be difficult to spot as Micu Chan, a sister city mascot from Yamato Takada, will be on display.

There will also be workshops at LisAmore! and at the Lantern Parade thanks to Summerland Bank. Just look out for the orange marquee.

The 2024 Lismore Lantern Parade will be held in the Lismore CBD next Saturday, June 22 from 12 midday.

You will find more information through the Lismore Lantern Parade button on the front page of the Lismore App or go to the website www.lismorelanternparade.com.au.