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Lantern Parade and Fiery Finale lights up Lismore

Photo Credit: Peter Derrett. Sourced from Lismore Lantern Parade’s Official Facebook Page.

Once a year Lismore’s streets are lit up with hundreds of handmade paper lanterns, carried through the town to the collective sounds of awe and cheer, as the annual Lantern Parade brings together the region.

Running for over 20 years now, the Lismore Lantern Parade and Fiery Finale is a volunteer-organised and run event which celebrates everything wonderful about the Northern Rivers region, and marks the Winter Solstice (the longest day of the year).

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How to make a lantern for the Lismore Lantern Parade

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The Lismore Lantern Parade is the signature event of the year in my hometown region, where thousands of people from across the Northern Rivers come together to mark the Winter Solstice, and to either walk in the parade, perform at the fiery finale, or watch as spectators.

Each year there are new lanterns created, to parade alongside ones that have been star attractions in years past.

Now in it’s 24th year, the Lantern Parade is a seriously fun event – whether you’re watching or participating.

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Good food, good company, good sights – Byron Bay

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It’s always so lovely to meet new friends who have similar interests, hobbies and goals.

So I was super pleased to catch up with Amanda Round The Globe while she was in Byron Bay recently, for a day of adventure.

Together we devoured some delicious vegan food, walked a popular beachside track, visited the famed Byron Lighthouse, and even spotted some whales!

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Cruising the Northern Rivers in a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet

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Here’s one random thing you probably didn’t know about me: I grew up around old cars.

A LOT of old cars.

My Dad’s side of the family have been involved with the vintage car club in our region since it’s inception, and so I grew up sitting in the backseat of old Chevy’s and Plymouths.

When I was a child we would spend weekends on car rallies in the car my parents had at the time, a 1929 Chevrolet.

I remember bouncing up and down along bumpy old roads on the weathered leather seats (no seatbelts in these old cars, of course), and the struggle it is was to put the windows in or out – no up or down, no winding down the windows in these old cars, no, the panes were carefully removed from the latches if you wanted some air, and would have to be securely lodged back in if you changed your mind.

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Cleaning up after a natural disaster

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After the Northern Rivers was hit by the floods caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie (See my blog from last week if you need to catch up on this), my community has begun the long and tough process of putting the pieces back together.

Thousands of people have been affected – whether their home was flooded and belongings destroyed, or their business inundated with water and forced to close for the time being.

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When a natural disaster hit our region

If you’ve seen the news over the last week, you may have heard something about “Lismore” and “flood”.

See, last Thursday (Only the day after I filmed that beautiful blue sky down in Ballina) constant rain hit the Northern Rivers, thanks to ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which had earlier hit northern Queensland.

In one day, we received so much rainfall that evacuation orders began being put into place. It was clear we were going to flood. Badly.

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A perfect beach day at Ballina

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Ballina is, without a doubt, one of the best spots along the east coast of Australia.

And no, I’m not just biased because I grew up on the Northern Rivers.

Well, maybe a little, but hear me out.

My opinion of this gorgeous, coastside town must have some weight to it, as every year people come from all over to holiday here, while seniors in their thousands have set up permanent camp here in their retirement.

It’s a pretty nice place, let’s just say that.

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