Sarasota Water Lantern Festival

          I heard about and have always wanted to attend the Water Lantern Festival. The event is held in many cities throughout the United Stated and abroad, so I decided to attend one when it came to an area near me which happened to be at Nathan Bendersen Park in Sarasota, Florida. 

          The park is about 600 acres of paradise and features a 400-acre lake. Although the park is used for activities such as world class rowing events, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing this was a perfect setting for this lantern festival.

          I checked in with the staff to get my “swag bag” which contained a marker to decorate the lantern, the lantern parts and light which had to be assembled, two sets of playing card; one with inspirational messages and the other set was a deck of cards that had engaging questions to inspire conversation and create connections. There was also a questionnaire that promoted conversation with whomever you attended the event with or new-found friends which had to be turned back into the check-in tent for a raffle. 

          Even better, the lanterns were made from rice paper and wood. All eco-friendly material. The LED lamps would be reused and recycled and the wood collected at the end of the event.

          I brought my lawn chair but as I was walking to find a spot near the water, I was invited by an extremely nice group of women to sit with them at one of the park benches which was fairly co-located near the water. They were the coolest group of seasoned retirees and so much fun!

          The launch of the lanterns would take place at sunset. In the meantime, food trucks were on site to have dinner, there was some musical entertainment, conversations, connecting and decorating our lanterns with messages of hope, love, dreams, goals remembrance or whatever your heart desired. We shared stories and experiences and laughed like playground kids.

          As the sun began to set, we all turned on our lanterns. We walked to the water and set our lanterns in to drift across the water. When I saw all of the lanterns on the water, it was a spiritual and overwhelming moment. Almost no one spoke. We just watched the lanterns light up the lake. 

          What a nostalgic moment! Such positive energy. The event was simply beautiful. It was well organized and just an all-round incredible experience that brought thousands together from all walks of life to celebrate life and reflections of those present and past.

          Most of us came to this event as strangers but left as friends,… a community. What an inspiring and well spent evening that I will never forget. Check out when the Lantern Festival will be hosting an event near you. Trust and believe you will be left spiritually fullfilled.

All the best,

GMarie