As if it were straight out of a fairytale fantasy, the Water Lantern Festival provides an ethereal experience for most visitors. Whether it’s a heartfelt message to a loved one, a wish, or goal, visitors have the freedom to write whatever they want on their lanterns and launch them into the water. The main event is when the lanterns are launched into the waters, where there are cascades of lit-up lanterns flowing in the water, each one different and special in its own way.
The Water Lantern Festival appears annually across the country. These festivals began to be held in 2018, with the first one being in Salt Lake City, Utah. As time passed, they widened their horizon and started tours in different cities all over the U.S, as well as Canada. This year, the Water Lantern Festival took place in Massachusetts, specifically in Weymouth, at George Lane Beach on October 18th.
Visitors who purchase a general admission ticket are provided with a wristband for admission, a drawstring bag that includes a lantern, a marker, and playing cards. Special ticket packages, such as the Date Night package, include two general admission tickets and a cozy blanket for sharing. The packages were convenient; visitors didn’t have to bring additional items to decorate or light their lanterns.
The festival organizers partner up with the local food vendors and food trucks in various cities where they host the event, ensuring a diverse range of food choices at each location. This year, trucks such as Rockin’ Burgers, Lobsta Lova, and Moyzilla were present at the festival in Weymouth. From heart burgers to buttery lobster rolls to cold, sweet ice cream, there was a wide range of foods people could munch on while they decorated their lanterns. In addition to food trucks, live music performances were offered, setting the mood for visitors. A small indie rock band, “The Pickpockets,” performed this year, bringing good vibes with lively country music.
The festival was set up three hours before the official lantern launching started. Organizers gave visitors plenty of time to arrange their spot at the beach, eat, listen to music, and decorate their lanterns. As it came closer to launching time, the beach became crowded very quickly. By the time the sun was starting to set, the high-spirited atmosphere was full of laughter and chitter chatter. The lanterns launched while the sun set, and soon, a myriad of glowing lanterns were flowing in the peaceful waters.
“All the lanterns were so pretty in the water, especially when the sun was setting too. This was my first time going to a Water Lantern Festival, and it was a really cool experience,” visitor Mishelle Cruz expressed.
For many visitors, the festival was an exciting, surreal experience, and brought people together through a fun activity. It differs from other festivals in the way that it allows people to express full creativity with their loved ones. With an amicable atmosphere, tasty foods, and cheery music, the festival was the perfect event for people to let loose and have a good time with their friends and family.
“I liked how peaceful it was and how it let me spend time with my friends. Overall, it was amazing and I’d totally go again,” Malden High junior Ann Nguyen emphasized.
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