Last updated at 16:16, Thursday, 24 September 2009

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THE rain stopped just in time for Ulverston’s annual Lantern Festival on Saturday.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the handcrafted lanterns process through the town centre as the finale of the Charter Festival.

The theme of Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass captured the imaginations of lantern-makers.

Hundreds of tissue and wicker playing cards, Cheshire cats and storybook characters lit up the streets, forming four rivers of light heading towards County Square and then together on to Ford Park.

Parades began at four points across the town; Croftlands Community Centre; the parish church; Ulverston Auction Mart car park; and Hillfoot Garden Centre. Each procession was led by a marching band.

Stilt walkers also added to the festival atmosphere.

Saturday’s parade was the 27th festival, but only the second run entirely by the community.

Ulverston-based arts organisation Lanternhouse International organised workshops across the town in the lead up to the festival. They gave guidance on how to make the wicker frames and the tissue paper shells.

The finale in Ford Park was organised by Ulverston Community Arts Network and hosted a variety of theatrical performances. Dancers and actors put together various attractions across the field, including a rendition of The Walrus and the Carpenter read by torchlight.

Vanessa Wilson organised the finale at Ford Park. She said “The thing that we’re doing differently, since the arts organisations have stepped back, is that we’ve got the Ulverston people involved, we’ve brought them on to the field to create things for the finale and to play their part with it.

“Before, the finale was provided for the public at the end of the night, and it was done by professionals. And now its more everyone is chipping in and doing their bit.

“Hopefully it is something that is growing and developing for the town.”

Visitors travelled from across the country to enjoy the festival. One couple from Essex said: “It’s great seeing all the families out together and the young children enjoying themselves, it’s a real privilege to be here to see it.”

As a grand finale, an incredible pyrotechnic display of fireworks lit up the sky over Ford Park.

First published at 11:32, Monday, 21 September 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk