Idaho falls is set to dazzle audiences with its Water Lantern Festival this Saturday at the Waterfront at Snake River Landing. The magical event, which began in 2018, has now expanded from its initial 34 cities to over a hundred cities across the United States and Canada, bringing together communities with its promise of connection, hope and beauty.
“Each night is just full of games, food, activities, vendors and music,” said Helen Blodgett the PR coordinator for the festival. “But then the importance is just the beauty of thousands of lanterns that are let go with letters of love and hope and dreams. We just believe that when each participant gets to put out their lantern, it just portrays this beautiful reflection upon the water filled with love and hope.”
The Water Lantern Festival has drawn massive crowds since its beginning, with a combined attendance of over 130,000 participants. The essence of the festival lies in its mission to create connections and community. Blodgett and her team worked diligently to make the festival a touching spectacle amidst the serene waters.
Attendees can look forward to various activities. The festival will feature over 10 local food vendors, live music from different bands and what they call Water Lantern Stories, which is a moment for attendees to go up on stage and share something meaningful to them. Each participant will receive a kit to build their own lantern, which will include cards for interactive games and a scavenger hunt, adding an extra element of fun and engagement to the evening.
“An 11-year-old girl got up on stage and sang a song for her grandpa who passed recently. It really resonated with me. It was something that brough a lot of people to tears but also brought them hope. It was so beautiful,” Blodgett said.
Looking ahead, the festival aims to expand even further. Their goal is to continue growing in different places and helping create more memories for people who go.
If you are interested in attending the Idaho Falls Water Lantern Festival at Snake River Landing this Saturday, you can go to their website at waterlanternfestival.com to purchase tickets.