Almost two years after Fernie’s first Lantern Festival, Art on Fire, plans are in the works for a second installment.
Representing the Fernie and District Arts Council, Rebecca Hall and Courtney Baker appeared before City of Fernie council on Monday night to ask the City for assistance in putting together the second biennial Fernie Lantern Festival. “The previous one was held two years ago to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Arts Station and it was such a huge success that we’d like to make it an event happening every two years,” said Hall.
The theme and title for this year’s festivities will be Rivers on Fire. Like the 2010 Lantern Festival, the organising committee will be visiting local schools to add lantern building activities to the art curriculum. There are also nine free community build evenings planned between now and the main event. The River on Fire Festival itself will take place on November 24 in front of The Arts Station and will include live entertainment and fireworks.
The Fernie and District Arts Council asked the City for help with street closures and barricades on the day of, as well as a few specific items like porta-potties, burn barrels, and the use of the Community Centre stage. Fernie Mayor, Mary Giuliano, and council were happy to lend their support and carried a motion forward to assist the Arts Council in any way they can.