The second annual Jacksonville Lantern Parade is being scheduled for mid-February.
This will be a dazzling display of music, light, color, and movement lighting up mid-town Jacksonville. Over 2,000 glowing, shining, and twinkling people showed up last year to help kick off the inaugural event.
Those interested are invited to come and bring anything that emits light in any way, such as Christmas tree lights, glow sticks, shirts that light up, or luminaries.
The route begins under the bridge at Riverside Artist Square and will go along the St. Johns River ending at Jacksonville Landing.
Before the parade, there will be live music, food trucks, and kids’ games at the starting line. Kids can also enjoy more activities at a park that will be set up next to the Riverside YMCA. Parade participants will be greeted with music from the Riverfront stage as they get to the Jacksonville Landing. Fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm.
Promoters that sponsor events such as this, VyStar Credit Union in this case, usually have a photographer taking pictures before, during, and after the event. They then use these photos in their brochure printing for the following year.
This year’s Jacksonville Lantern Parade will be February 16, with the parade itself starting at 7:00 pm. The event should wind down around 10:00 pm. Riverside Artist Square is located at 715 Riverside Avenue and the Jacksonville Landing is at 2 Independent Drive.