4th Annual Grant Park Conservancy Halloween Lantern Parade

By Alisa Chambers
Everyone is invited to walk in the 4th Annual Grant Park Conservancy (GPC) Halloween Lantern Parade. Come play in the dark (in the park). Last year there were close to 1,000 people marching through Grant Park. Don’t miss out on this year’s fun on Friday, October 23. Bring your family, bring your friends; decorate your wagon, wear your costumes, and don’t forget your lanterns. You are welcome to view the parade too as it’s a great spectator event with a lot of wonderful lanterns to spot.
Participants will gather at the Grant Park pavilions at 6:00pm, and the parade will step off at 7:30pm, following the Black Sheep Marching Ensemble. This year there will be a pre-parade gathering and post-parade party. Four great food trucks will be nearby so dinner or snacks can be purchased: Blaxican Mexican Soul Food Truck, Nana G’s Chicken and Waffles, Mix’d Up Burgers, and Pop Dog Cart. There’ll be something for everyone, even the pickiest of little goblins. There will also be beer for the adults and yummy treats for the kids and the young at heart.
Concoct your creepy (or funny or pretty) lantern at home, or you can pick up a lantern-making kit at local businesses for $10. Don’t leave anybody in the dark. These lanterns are fun, but they are also a little more challenging to put together and are best for older kids and adults. All materials are provided, including a 3-LED tap light, batteries, a stick for carrying, and detailed instructions. You are not limited to the example forms, so get those creative juices flowing and decorate the way you want.
This year, a free lantern-making workshop will be held before the parade in D.H. Stanton Park. The date is to be announced shortly on the Conservancy Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/703017563137365/ and the event website: www.gpconservancy.org/?p=3226. Check both lo\cations for regular updates, and let everyone know you’ll be attending the event.
The 2015 GPC Halloween Lantern Parade is brought to you this year by Adams Realtors, District One Council Member Carla Smith, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Gigi Conner and Alison Michaels Fandel of Adams Realtors, Dakota Blue, The Leonard, ISU Paragon, Loose Nuts, Fit for Life, Round Here Renovations, Lucy Hicks, and the Grant Park Conservancy. If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Amy Kissling at amy@kisslingsmith.com or 770-331-0955.
Make your lantern plans for October 23, and join us to light up the park! If you enjoy the lantern parade, make sure to  join the Conservancy so the neighborhood can have more great events like this in Grant Park. Visit the Conservancy’s website at www.gpconservancy.org/memberships.