(L–R) Lisa and Liam get photo with some famous ladies and a huge owl. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
At the registration table, you got a s’mores kit, roasting sticks and a lantern—simple items that make for a great evening. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Lots of volunteers make sure the operation runs smoothly. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Who would pass up a photo op with Thalassa from Utah Mermaids? Photo: @_chriskiernan_
A variety of food trucks covered every taste and cuisine. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
(L–R) Liam and Tristian burn off the daylight on the obstacle course. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
A friendly dance competition got people up and on their feet. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Ashley gets creative with decorating her lantern. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Katie can’t wait to share Elle’s fancy face paint. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
(L–R) Lisa and Sue pass the time with good conversation and a little lantern decorating. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Rebecca roasts her marshmallow while Shaun opens his s’more kit. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
(L–R) Katherine, Haley, Summer and Kylee get in some girl time around the fire. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Suzie Brown sung her way into the crowd’s heart. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
The crowd starts prepping for launch. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Ashley and Bryson get one of their lanterns airborne. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Alex gets lit up as his lantern heats up. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
Shaun launches his lantern. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
We have liftoff. Photo: @_chriskiernan_
On Sep. 11 and 12, the Bonneville Seabase west of Salt Lake played host to the Lantern Fest. Entry included a lantern, a marker to decorate your lantern and a s’more kit with roasting sticks and a lighter because, let’s face it, this was a great opportunity to play with fire. The event started early in the evening with face painting and balloon sculptures for the kids, and those of us who still act like kids. There was a wide variety of food trucks onsite, providing options from Mongolian BBQ to tacos. There was mix of live music and DJs to pass the time and get people on their feet. Taking a walk around the Seabase was an eye-opening experience; did you know you can scuba dive at the Seabase? Neither did I. After exploring the area the pond that you can scuba dive in, we found two amazing mermaids from Utah Mermaids interacting with the crowd. When the time came to launch the lanterns, the place lit up with the magical glow of fire. It is definitely a team sport to light and launch a lantern. As lanterns became airborne, everyone’s attention turned to the sky to watch the beautiful glow of burning lanterns float off into the night sky.
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