Bedminster Lantern Parade will be taking a break this year to develop plans for the future. Organisers have decided to hit the pause button on the Bedminster project - which attracts thousands of spectators in south Bristol - and have stressed this is not the end of the project.
It will be the first time in eleven years the volunteer-run project has taken a break outside of the pandemic. The non-profit community project works with schools, residents and businesses over three months each autumn to build thousands of lanterns for the annual parade.
Organisers expressed their gratitude for all of the support from the community over the years but said they "need time to explore the future financial sustainability of the project". Earlier this year, the project launched a donation page to raise vital funds to make the 2023 parade possible.
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A statement on its website read: "The lantern project hasn’t gone away: we’re as committed as ever to [create] a colourful, imaginative, inclusive way to light up and celebrate the BS3 community! But the team of committed volunteers have decided they need a break to review and rethink how we can run the project in the future.
"We are hugely grateful for the generous support of local businesses and individuals who have helped make the project happen up until now, but we do need time to explore the future financial sustainability of the project, as well as look at how to best encourage people living in BS3 to get involved in what has become one of the largest community projects in Bristol."
In February, the Bedminster Lantern Parade saw 17 groups and five bands as well as lots of incredible lanterns made by primary school children in south Bristol. The beautiful handmade lanterns were marched up by pupils and community groups, illuminating North Street before being put on display at Compass Point primary school.
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