By Derek Schlennstedt
Community events are about bringing people together and they have the potential to literally transform a town and the people involved.
In 2007, the first Belgrave Lantern Parade was held as an event ‘for the community, celebrating the community’ and since then it has become a firm fixture on Belgrave’s annual calendar.
Celebrating its 13th year on Saturday 22 June, the Belgrave Lantern Parade has long been warming the hearts of the town’s residents and visitors alike.
Each year on the winter solstice – the year’s shortest day and longest night – thousands of residents from the Dandenong Ranges take to the streets of Belgrave with intricate homemade lanterns to light the cold winter’s night and welcome the lengthening of days.
The lanterns are only half as warm as the smiling, glowing faces of the participants who hold them, and for one night the main street of Belgrave is reclaimed by people as hundreds of lanterns line the main street, accompanied by drummers, dancers and performers.
Over the years, lanterns in all shapes and sizes have made their way down the main street of Belgrave, paraded in celebration of Australia being halfway out of the dark.
Some lanterns represent fauna common to the Dandenong Ranges, including cockatoos, dragonflies and owls.
Easy to get to and easy to find, visitors can reach Belgrave on a train from the city and the parade is only a minute’s walk from the station.
Attendance is free and you can either watch or become a part of it.
To be a part of it, all that’s needed is a lantern. Visitors can buy one on the night or create their own unique design to bring along.
