The Sharrow Lantern Carnival took place last Sunday, attracting thousands of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The annual event consists of participants carrying giant lanterns through Graves Park to the sounds of Samba Bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They walk a loop through the cemetery of the park and return to the main field, where, this year, they were greeted with fire dancers and jazz bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A volunteer said: “What I most look forward to about the carnival is the creativity. Just to see what lanterns everyone has come up with.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The volunteers on the day were spread throughout the park. They had to remain in stationary posts to make sure that the carnival ran smoothly and to assist anyone who needed help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of the volunteers are members of the Sharrow Lantern Carnival Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the event started, volunteers hung up Lanterns throughout the cemetery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the larger installations was a bird whose wings were manually controlled by volunteers. Visitors would stand around the bird while one volunteer directed a group to move the wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first carnival took place in 2004 to celebrate the end of the Iraq war. The organisers intended the carnival to be a form of peaceful protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nowadays, the event has become a staple of the Sharrow area and is seen as a celebration of it’s creative community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leading up to the day, multiple lantern-making workshops are held where attendants are taught how to make their own lanterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of these lanterns are used in the actual carnival, however, attendants can bring their own lanterns that are made at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The total cost to run these workshops and organise the festival is around \u00a32500. However, the workshops are free of charge to attend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n