We are just back from a fabulous stay at our island home. For years we have wanted to do something memorable on New Years Eve, and this year we finally did it by going to the Lantern Festival on Pender Island, BC. We really didn’t know what to expect. We had seen the posters for the festival around the island, and a neighbor gave us a quick run down of where to park for this community event held at Magic Lake, but that was about it. To sum it up, the Lantern Festival was amazing.
Stilt walkers at the Lantern Festival.
Handcrafted lanterns at the Pender Island Lantern Festival on New Year’s Eve.
Music, drama, and stilt walkers all lit solely by torches of fire.
This was followed by a quiet interlude of lit kayaks doing a synchronized routine on the glass smooth lake.
The finale, however, was stunning. The lanterns were lit. Gently one by one they sailed high into the sky, dotting the sky like golden stars. This was an unforgettable and moving sight. What a memorable way to spend New Year’s Eve.
island home 
What stunningly beautiful photographs of a terrific event.
Well done!