For the 10th year in a row, the streets of Waterbury will come to life after sunset on Saturday with the sights and sounds of the River of Light Lantern Parade. This year's theme is "REinventions! What will you REmake? Something REmarkable!" Students at Thatcher Brook Primary School have made lanterns in art classes. Community members and artists worked in special lantern workshops on their paper and willow creations.
Come watch or join in the parade that steps off at 5 p.m. from Thatcher Brook Primary School on Stowe Street and makes its way to Main Street, ending at Dac Rowe Park. Burlington's Afro-Brazilian marching band Sambatucada returns again this year along with the Crossett Brook Middle School junk band and drummers. The finale features bonfires, hot chocolate, and a special presentation by fire performance troupe Cirque de Fuego from Jericho.
Replacement LED lights and batteries will be available in the school gym before the parade for anyone bringing their own lantern.
A shout out to co-coordinators Mame McKee, director of Seminary Arts in Waterbury Center, Waterbury artist Sarah-Lee Terrat and MK Monley, art teacher at TBPS, for keeping this event going and making it a tradition for the past decade. The collaboration also includes MakerSphere Waterbury, the new local nonprofit arts and creative space cooperative.
This year's sponsors include Waterbury Winterfest, Revitalizing Waterbury and Green Mountain Coffee Café and Visitors Center. The hot chocolate stand happens with help from the café, Waterbury Parks and Recreation and volunteers from Waterbury Area Senior Center and Harwood Union High School. Norwich University cadets volunteer as parade stewards, helping with parking, street closures, and fire safety.
Check the parade website for more information and last-minute updates especially in the event of inclement weather: ariveroflightinwaterbury.org.
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