It is official, the Lismore Lantern Parade will not be lining the streets in 2020 after CEO and Artistic Director Jyllie Jackson announced the cancellation this afternoon.

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed a lot of scalps since March including live music, music festivals, theatre, speedway, ANZAC Day, Relay For Life, Gemfest and now the Lismore Lantern Parade.

Initially, the Lantern Parade was postponed from its usual June winters solstice calendar date to Saturday November 14. With that date rapidly approaching and the crowd restrictions still in place in NSW plus financial problems caused by the lack of events thanks to COVID-19, Jyllie has made the call to write off 2020 like many businesses.

“It is with much sadness and disappointment that we must announce that the Lantern Parade we had hoped to hold on 14 November is not able to go ahead," said Festival Director Jyllie Jackson.

“After much discussion with the powers that be, researching the new Covid rules and meeting the requirements to hold a popular event open to everyone, it is just not viable”.

“It became apparent that a street parade would not be permitted. We would require so many COVID Marshalls and Security we simply do not have the human or financial resources to manage such an event.

(The crowds at the 2019 Lismore Lantern Parade)

“Right now, we are working hard fundraising. It is our priority to keep LightnUp Inc alive so that we are able to do something really special for the Lismore Lantern Parade next year.” Jyllie explained.

“We have had a few wonderful donations – especially from Dirty Wilson who donated $1000, and the Northern Rivers Conservatorium who recently donated $500. The Lismore Vet’s donation of $1000 a few weeks ago was terrific” said Jyllie.

“We are so grateful that in these difficult times those who are doing OK are showing their appreciation for what the Lanterns do for our community.” 

“Generally, the donations have slowed down a lot, so we will be putting some more energy into fundraising soon, any help with that would be wonderful!” laughed Jyllie.

In the meantime, the Lanterns will have two small outings to Queensland before Christmas – one to the University of Queensland for their Bloom Festival. Then early in December LightnUp will take some lanterns up to Mount Tamborine for the delightful Scarecrow Festival.

The Lantern Parade is at the Saturday Lismore Farmers’ Markets and the Carboot Market running lantern decorating workshops, with take home lantern kits, t-shirts and lamps for sale. You can support the Lantern Parade by participating in the lantern decorating, buy a kit, a T-shirt or one of their very beautiful table lamps.

‘And watch this space, I don’t think we can stop ourselves doing something very special for Christmas!!” hinted Jyllie.

You can donate towards the Lantern Parade

Online - https://www.givenow.com.au/lightnup-lanterns-sos

Or if you prefer by direct debit

Summerland Credit Union

BSB: 728728

LightnUp Inc  a/c #22291137

Ref: SOS your name