Lantern Fest 2017

Last year, I took the kids to the Lantern Fest for the first time.  I really didn't know what to expect.  I thought that everyone would gather there, light some lanterns and then we would go home.  I didn't know what we were going to do between the hours of 1pm and 7pm, the time between it opens and when the lanterns are lit.  We went and I was surprised.  There was free face painting, free bounce houses, a fun scavenger hunt to win a prize (for the first 100 people that completed the hunt), vendor stands, a booth to decorate the lanterns, s'mores for everyone, fire pits for each group of people, games for the kids to participate in such as hula hoops contests, egg tosses, chug a kool aid, and tiki torches throughout the fairgrounds.  There was also a concert given by a small artist that is very lively and fun to dance to (for those brave enough to dance).  After the lanterns were lit and found their way beyond our vision, the fire dancers came out and put on their performance.  It was truly fantastic!

When I started seeing the Facebook posts this year, I knew that we needed to go again.  I purchased the tickets in advance to get a discount and this year I talked my mom into bringing my stepdad and little sisters.  I was also going to be more prepared by bringing chairs, blankets, jackets, and anything else that we could fit into our convenient little wagon that would add to the experience.  The kids were not told a thing until we were on our way to the event. 

We got everything packed, the kids still didn't know what we were doing, they had ideas, but no one had guessed it.  (I felt pretty accomplished for keep this a secret.)  We were headed to pick up the oldest daughter from a softball tournament and then be on our way.  Twelve kids and myself, to brave the crowds of an expected 8,000 people.  I told the kids where we were going and they all cheered! 

When we got there the security was a little tighter compared to before.  They were going through bags.  No big deal.  We were only given four lanterns for the adult tickets versus a lantern for everyone like the year before.  I don't know if we got lucky the year before or if the rules just changed.  But I was able to go over to another table to buy more lanterns to make sure that everyone had one.

We found our spot...little secret, try facing with your backs to the west so that the setting sun isn't blasting you.  We spread out our stuff and I buddied up the kids.  The kids went and got their faces painted, and then played the corn hole toss, jumped on the bounce houses, and the older kids went to find souvenirs to spend money on.  The plan was to also eat dinner there so we scoped out the vendor trolleys to see what would be the best fit for our family.  (We then decided if we were going to spend that much money on food, that we would rather something else.  So, we waited and went to Golden Corral afterwards, same price, more variety!)

The games were played and the prizes were extra lanterns to be able to send up when the time came.  I think we accumulated 6-8 extra lanterns since the kids participated in nearly every challenge.  The big winners got T-Shirts and blankets, but we were not the big winners this year.  Maybe next year!

We listened to the free concert and some of us danced and we had a really fun time.  Some of the kids were decorating their lanterns with the markers that were provided in our boxes.  I think the most remarkable part was even though there were a LOT of people there, it was like our very own little party.  We didn't have to mingle with others if we didn't want to.  We were not crowded or boxed in.  We had room to do what we wanted and we were not in anyone else's way.  It was fabulous.

They sent off the test lantern for the fire department to give their approval.  The one lonely lantern testing the wind direction and making sure that it would be safe for all of the others to follow.  The approval was given a few minutes later and in a moment, all of the people that were at the stage dancing were now scattered to their fire pit areas getting ready to light up the lanterns.

Here where everything goes into a blur for me.  Twelve kids, twelve lanterns, three of us to work the lighters, the kids wanting theirs to go up next.  PLUS!  I want pictures.  The camera is passed off to a kid that gets their picture taken with the lantern and then they are supposed to take pics of the other kids.  That didn't happen.  Instead, I have a lot of pictures of the launch, and I am okay with that too, because it is GOR-GE-OUS.

In this moment.  This small window of time.  I can feel the memory being created.  It makes me tear up thinking about it now.  I can feel a little bit slip away as this fantastic memory is happening.  They are growing up.  We have these windows of opportunity to seed plant, to create, to influence, to watch what they learn, and to enjoy them at this stage.  This moment I realize, it's amazing, and just how we light these lanterns and make a special wish, I am making these wishes for my kids and then one day all of this time that I spent decorating and caring for them, I will "light" them like these lanterns and pray that the wind takes them on journeys that they enjoy.  I see that I have this window to instill in them that their happiness and joy comes from within regardless of what is happening in the world.  Relationships with others are what is important, even when it isn't easy.  Making wonderful memories is better than almost anything.  This for me is what the Lantern Fest is about, the reminder of this moment.

I don't know if this is the same for the others that are there.  I also wonder how many other memories are these reminders and if I am missing them from being caught up in life.  I know I need to slow down.  I want to be able to see the "Lantern Fest" moment in other ways on other days.  However, I am living this hectic life keeping house, homeschooling, mowing the lawn, doing the mountains of laundry, and whatever else pops up.  However, I caught THIS moment.  I will take it!