AUGUST 16TH | 6-9 PM | HERRIN PARK

Experience the enchantment of the Lantern Festival as we release beautiful water lanterns together, creating a visually stunning display of lights.

  • LANTERN RELEASE

    After decorating your water lantern, enjoy the whimsical display of lights as you and other guests release lanterns together onto the park's pond.

  • FOOD TRUCKS

    Enjoy a variety of delicious food options from local vendors.

  • LIVE MUSIC

    Relax and listen to live performances of local artists throughout the evening.

  • FAMILY FUN!

    The park offers several playgrounds for children to enjoy!

SHINING A LIGHT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Lantern Festival is not only a beautiful and unique event for our community to enjoy, but is also a fundraiser! This special evening is dedicated to raising funds for THE MOSAIC INITIATIVE, a nonprofit that combats sex trafficking and sexual exploitation locally & globally.

 

EVENT INFORMATION

  • Each ticket purchased includes a WATER LANTERN KIT to assemble, decorate and launch. Markers and tables will be available for you to let your creativity shine as you make your lantern one-of-a-kind!

    Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs to comfortably enjoy the lantern launch and live music. While the event is open to the public to attend, purchasing a ticket allows you to become an active participant in the lantern festivities! 

  • DATE: August 17th

    TIME: 6 PM- 9 PM

    LOCATION: Herin City Park - Herrin, IL

  • 6pm- Event Starts
    6-8pm- Enjoy Festival Activities such as Live Music & Food Trucks
    8pm- Lantern Launch
    9pm- Event Ends

If you don’t see a ticket purchase form above, please click the button below.

FAQs

  • We are dedicated to ensuring our event has no negative environmental impact on our beautiful local park or its wildlife. While our lanterns are made of a wood base and paper and are biodegradable, after the event, our event staff will remove all lanterns from the water and pick up all trash left behind by event attendees. Water lanterns will be recycled and reused for future events!

  • Unfortunately, we cannot return every lantern to its original owner once the lanterns are released.

  • There is plenty of parking located all around the park facilities, but as you enter the park, you will see a specifically marked lot for event parking on your right. Don’t worry; we will have event staff to help guide you!

  • As our event is outdoor and weather dependent, the event will be rescheduled if inclement weather ensues. Your ticket will be valid for the rescheduled date. If you cannot attend the rescheduled date, you will be eligible for a refund on your ticket purchase upon request.

    In the event of rescheduling due to weather, those who have purchased lantern kits/tickets will receive an email update including all necessary information such as the date change and how to request a refund.

  • Yes! Two restroom facilities are available for event guests within a short walking distance from the pond.

  • We suggest bringing a picnic blanket or lawn chair so you can comfortably view the lanterns next to the water on the green. However, seating is available at picnic tables around the park. The festival is outdoors in August, so bug repellent is always a good idea!

  • What goes up must come down! Not only are sky lanterns illegal in Illinois, but unfortunately, they threaten wildlife, pollute surrounding areas, and ultimately are a fire hazard. We intentionally chose water lanterns for our lantern festival to be as environmentally responsible as possible while providing a visually impactful event!

SPREADING HOPE & LIGHT

Lantern Festivals and festivals of light are widely celebrated by many cultures and religions worldwide. There is disagreement on the earliest festival of light and where it originated, but some of the most well-known and earliest traditions are Diwali (India) and The Lunar Lantern Festival (China). While the symbolism, purpose, and reasons for these incredible festivals may vary, there is a shared overarching theme or tone of HOPE.

In honor of these traditions, our goal is that this event will serve as a way fr participants to spread HOPE & LIGHT in a dark world.