If you take a stroll through Lismore’s CBD tomorrow night from 5pm, you will see magical lights shining from over 30 shop windows.

The lights are part of the annual Enchanted Windows competition, celebrating the lead up annual Lantern Parade on June 19 – and the winter solstice.

Lantern Parade organiser Jyllie Jackson said CBD businesses have joined the celebration of Lismore and the Lantern Parade - via spectacular displays in their shop windows - since 2008.

While this year, due to COVID health restrictions, the annual parade had to move to the Lismore Showgrounds, Jyllie said it was important to keep the spirit alive in the CBD.

“We are all disappointed we can’t put the parade on in the CBD this year,” she said. “But we can still create magic in town.”

The annual Enchanted Windows Trophy is awarded to one business after a rigorous judging takes place, and the winner announced via local and social media.

Lanterns in the gardens

As well as lighting up of shop windows until June 22, Jyllie said an installation of Lantern Parade lanterns will appear in the gardens of the CBD tomorrow night.

“We will still be keeping a light shining in our hearts and they will be able to be seen from 5 to 6.30pm tomorrow night,” she said.

The light up coincides with the CBD Lismore Farmers Market, and there’s a map that you can follow to walk around and see where each of the participating Enchanted Windows are located.

Lantern Parade

The Lantern Parade will take place on Saturday, June 19, from 11am to 9pm and Jyllie said it will have a lively festival atmosphere.

“We encourage everyone not to wait until the day to purchase their tickets, but to buy them early - online or at Music Bizarre” she said.

Find out more: Lismore Lantern Parade

“Whilst we will have tickets at the gate, it will be a slow process and we won’t be able to accept NSW Discovery vouchers at the gate,” she said.

The 2021 theme of the Lantern Parade Innovation. Inspiration. Regeneration - creates the motivation for the displays, accompanied by lantern and candles (battery operated)

There will be musical acts and a fashion show featuring unusual creations, like a kimono made of teabags, clothing made of bottle tops and VCR tapes (remember them?).

“Some of the creations are astonishing, and all made by local people,” Jyllie said.

Vikings and Star Wars

Local Vikings Rognvald’s Lith will be there in costumes and battling with swords and axes – and Star Wars reenactors and Dirt Girl and Scrap Boy will make appearances.

“The Regen Expo 21 will showcase the work of inspirational regional businesses that are taking on challenges for the future and bringing sustainable practices to the area.

Festival

Jyllie said the challenges Covid regulations have brought to this year’s event have given organisers a change to create a unique festival vibe.

“It includes all the things we did the past, but we’ve been able to bring them all together in one place,” she said.

Tickets

Jyllie said any ticket money to the event will go into putting the community event on and encourages everyone to get behind it.

“The Covid regulations mean we still have to observe social distancing and have limited numbers in a confined area.

“That also means we have extra costs – from renting the showgrounds, to paying for fencing and security, building stages and hiring extra lighting, sound equipment and paying qualified technicians.

“We also try to pay some of our local performers and artists to entertain us.

Jyllie said the CBD project is supported by Lismore City Council through the Special Business Rate Variation Levy in partnership with the Lismore Lantern Parade.

For more information about the daily program and to buy tickets, visit http://www.lanternparade.com