Ulverston Lantern Procession 2009

This year the theme is “Wonderland Through The Looking Glass”

Run by Ulverston Community Arts Network. On the evening of Saturday 19th September, four rivers of light will flow into the town centre.

Start times from 7.45pm to merge in County Square at 8.30pm and cascade towards Ford Park for the Finale.


Lantern Making Workshops:

Croftlands Community Centre:
Saturday 12th September: 12 noon – 6pm

Swarthmoor Reading Room:
Friday 11th September: 5pm – 9pm
Saturday 12th September: 9am – 7pm
Sunday 13th september: 9am – 7pm

Lanternhouse, The Ellers:
Saturday 12th September: 1pm -3pm, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Sunday 13th September: 1pm – 3pm, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Monday 14th September: 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tuesday 15th September: 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Wednesday 16th September: 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Thursday 17th september: 4.30pm – 6.30pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

For further information or queries about the event and the lantern workshops please telephone 01229 580640 or 581127

Workshop sessions around the area are booked for other organised groups; additional workshops for the general public will be announced in the press and local posters.

Kits to make lanterns at home will be available at the Market Cross during Saturday markets on August 29th and September 5th. They will also be available from some workshops during September.

The Ulverston Lantern Procession is a showcase of the town’s imagination, artistic creativity and community spirit. Since first initiated in 1983 by Welfare State International, it has gone from strength to strength and we expect between six and seven hundred lanterns to be on show this year.

Lantern Making
Lanterns are simply constructed from willow, tissue paper and glue and can be made by young and old alike. This years workshops are arranged at various venues around the area in the weeks preceding the event and everyone is welcome to attend. Lantern making workshop details are shown above. All materials, guidance and advice is provided, but you must add a little imagination based on this year’s theme – “Wonderland Through The Looking Glass”.

For those people experienced in lantern making, kits are available at the workshops to take home and make up at your leisure. A small charge is made for materials.

The Processions:
On the night of the procession, four seperate rivers of light flow towards the town centre from each corner of the town. They will start from Croflands Community Centre at 7.45pm, The Parish Church at 7.45pm, The Auction Mart Car Park at 7.55pm and Hill Foot Hotel at 8.10pm.

You must assemble in plenty of time to collect carrying poles and get all lanterns lit. Each procession will have marshals, first aid cover and police escort.

Visitors from outside the town may find it easiest to join the Auction Mart start as there is ample parking here and it is only a short walk back after the finale in Ford Park.

The Town Centre and Spectators:
Each procession is accompanied by local bands which adds a fiesta atmosphere to the occasion. The four processions merge into  one big parade in County Square at about 8.30pm and wend their way through the town towards Ford Park where the Spectacular Finale is held.

The best viewing points for spectators are after the processions merge into one in County Square and move along New Market Street and MArket Street, then along Union Street, Hart Street, and Ford Park Crescent before entering Ford Park. Spectators are advised to spread out along this route as the area around the merge point can become very congested.

The Finale:
The finale is due to start at about 9.15pm as time needs to be allowed for the many thousands of spectators to follow the procession from the town centre and make their way into the park. There is no central area in Ford Park but instead spectators will be free to wander around the whole park (except the fireworks zone) and view all the community tableaux and performance and music areas, whilst waiting for the fireworks finale.

The theme of “Wonderland Through The Looking Glass” is relected in the displays around Ford Park and you will be able to pick out all your favourite childhood images. The finale will feature contibutions from local youth groups, schools, bands and individuals all led and co-ordinated by members of Ulverston Community Arts Network, a new group of talented, creative artists keen to pass on their skills and enthusiasm to others.

Your attention is drawn to the importance of safety at this event and all young children should be closely supervised during the evening.