Is there anything else like a fairy tale than thousands of bright flashlights that float towards the sky at night? Long before the luminescent show surprised the spectators of the Disney movie in 2010 “Tangled”, the real -life lantern festivals have been held throughout the world. In China, the flashlights of heaven were first used as a means of communication in the war during the have oriental dynasty more than 2,000 years ago.
Since then, the flashlights of heaven have acquired a more ceremonial and celebration meaning, occasions of marked as the end of the Chinese New Year and the arrival of spring. However, as wonderfully beautiful as these mini floating launches of hot air balloon, the reality is that there is only a very fine line, and a wind gust, which can convert a flashlight of the sky into a floating molotov cocktail of flotation. Forced in many regions due to the risk of fire and environmental hazards, the idea of freeing thousands of them indiscriminately to heaven would literally fly here in southern California, where the memories of January forest fires are too fresh.
That is why when the Japan OC Fair organized a lantern launch as part of its three -day festival at the OC Fairgrounds of Costa Mesa last month, the organizers opted for a safer alternative: helium full balloons in the form of a lantern tied by rope and illuminated by LED with lithium battery. I was among the hundreds of people who launched their brilliant square “flashlights” inside the Hangar of the OC fair after a set of the Japanese singer Minmi. For a few seconds, except for a piano that touches some thoughtful notes, there was silence. All eyes, and cell phones, focused on flickering white cubes.
“When you release a flashlight in the air or in the water, you let go of your feelings behind it,” said the assistant Charles Mendoza, who led the event from West Covina. Anything that has been weighing his thoughts, “you just let go.”
Whether he attends a flashlight festival to release accumulated emotions, send a message to a loved one who has lost or orija the Great Beyond, the experience can become a quiet moment of reflection. Here there are four flashlight events that occur in several places in southern California and near South California until the end of the year, where, at least, you will amaze the beauty and tranquility of the idea, one that Ironically began of the war.
Water Lantern Festival, Crestline and Lake Elsinore
When: May 16-17
That: The Water Lintería Festival returns to southern California. It occurs on Friday and Saturday at the Lake Gregory Regional Park in the city of Crestline, and on Saturday only at Elm Grove Beach in Lake Elsinore. As the name and places of the festival suggest, these are water lantern launches. But like Sky Lantern's events, they will be visually spectacular and, hopefully, spiritually shocking.
Originally launched in Utah in 2018, the Water Lantern Festival first arrived at Lake Gregory Regional Park in 2020 and since then it has expanded throughout the country. Although it is a profit event, the festival has associated with Water.org, an organization that helps bring clean water and sanitation to the needy communities worldwide.
The entrance is $ 57.99 at the event. Includes a bag with a floating flashlight kit with a flashlight, bluish and marker to write their desires, hopes or messages. Beyond the launch of the flashlight, the festival offers a variety of food through food trucks, purchases and entertainment. It is allowed to bring its own picnic and snacks, but not alcohol since the event does not contain alcohol.
Details: Waterlandestival.com
44th Lotus Festival, Los Angeles
When: July 12-13
That: One of Los Angeles's dear summer traditions, the Lotus Festival, returns to Echo Park Lake. It began in 1972 as “Loto Day”, created to highlight the contributions of Asian American communities in Los Angeles. The Loto Festival was renamed in 1990, and every year since then, it has allocated an Asian or Pacific Island culture different. The event is scheduled with the flowering of the iconic Loto del Lago flowers, which was once the largest outside Asia.
Last year's celebration honored the Philippines and his diaspora based in Los Angeles. This year he will honor South Korea, showing the richness of Korean culture through live music, traditional dance, kitchen and artisanal vendors.
While the highlight of the weekend is usually the races of Dragon Boat, which have attracted competitors and multitudes since 1991, the sentimental favorite is the launch of the water flashlight in the lake. The entrance is free, but the details about the cost of the water flashlights have not yet been announced. See the website closer to the date for more information.
Details: laparks.org/lotusfestival
Rise Festival, Mojave Desert
When: October 3-5
A message in a flashlight at Rise Festival.
(Rise Festival)
That: This fall, Rise Festival returns for three nights in Jean Dry Lake Bed, a deserted from Mojave desert (three miles from Jean, Nev.) That has been used as a place of filming for “The Hangover”, “Fear and hate in Las Vegas” and other films. In his tenth year, Rise is the only launch festival of Sky Lantern on this list. But because it also presents large -scale art facilities and a scenario that establishes the night with live music, they are the Burning Festivals Man of Lantern. (Although unlike Burning Man, he can drive less than 20 miles to the Las Vegas strip when he is ready and end the night with a shower in a hotel room of his choice).
Ticket packages begin at $ 129 for the silver level, which includes the lantern launch ceremony, live performances in two desert scenarios, access to large -scale art facilities, meditation spaces known as Halos Rise, two lanterns per guest, a portable pussy for desert seats and unlimited water reflections. The upper level packages add advantages such as Gourmet dining room, open bar access and reserved visualization areas.
Details: Risefestival.com/
Saint Martin's Lantern Parade, Huntington Beach
When: November 9
That: Celebrated for centuries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, San Martín's day honors the life of Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier of the fourth century turned into a monk and bishop. He is better known for a simple but deep compassion act: sharing his layer with an ice cream beggar on a winter night. That moment of generosity defined his legacy.
When he died, his body was taken by boat along the river for tours. The legend says that children say goodbye when they stand on the riverbank with candles to turn on the road. Since then, lantern processions, or Landnenumzüge, became tradition, symbolizing the durable light and heat of human goodness embodied by the saint.
On November 9 around 5 in the afternoon, this tradition continues in the Villa del Mundo de Huntington Beach. Children and families will wear illuminated flashlights through the mall while singing traditional songs sung by generations. Organized by the Newport Beach German school campus, this St. Martin Lantern parade is free to attend (but a donation of $ 5 and an online reservation is requested online).
Details: Events.oldworldhb.com/event/st-martin-day-lan-inade
