A CELEBRATION of light saw hundreds take part in a parade through Reading town centre on Saturday.
The second annual lantern parade saw giant creations dance and weave through the night sky, as a procession went from Broad St. Mall to Forbury Gardens. It was headed up by drumming from Beatroots, and had the theme of GLOW.
Lanterns were in the shape of hearts, insects and people, all intricately woven from paper and sticks and lit up to create the juxtaposition against the dark skies.
Many of the lanterns had been created at workshops organised by Beautiful Creatures and Jelly. Sessions were held across November at venues including Broad St. Mall, Coley Park Community Centre, Whitley Wood Community Centre, Hexham Road Community Centre and Southcote Hub.
The result was a cavalcade of light on a crisp, cold and wintry December evening.
The parade ended with a communal singalong around the Forbury bandstand.
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The event was organised by Reading BID representing businesses in the town centre through REDA, Beautiful Creatures Theatre, Jelly and AV Events. It was supported by Reading Borough Council, Reading Buses, 101 Outdoor Arts & The Broad Street Mall.
Alexa Volker, BID Manager said: “We loved watching the hundreds of young people and their families parading through the town centre with their lanterns bringing a warm glow to Reading.
“The parade ended in the Forbury Gardens where it came alive with a festive sing-along.
“The town centre has a real Christmas feel to it this year and we hope everyone enjoys the Christmas lights, events programme and Christmas food and drinks stalls that Reading BID have put in place to bring the spirit of Christmas to Reading.”
For more details, log on to: www.readinglanternparade.co.uk
For other Christmas events in Reading, www.visit-reading.com/Christmas
For more pictures, don’t miss this week’s print edition of Reading Today, on sale on Thursday across the town
