With kids back in school and the weather starting to turn, it’s time to say goodbye to summer at the City of Delta’s 10th annual Luminary Festival.
The popular community event returns to North Delta’s Sunstone Park (10400 Delsom Crescent) Saturday (Sept. 9) beginning at 6 p.m., with plenty of performers, crafts, food trucks and other family-friendly activities for residents to enjoy.
“As we celebrate the remarkable 10th anniversary of Delta’s Luminary Festival, our largest cultural event in North Delta, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the unwavering support that has made this free community event a cherished tradition for children and families,” Mayor George Harvie said in a statement.
“Over the years, this festival has not only illuminated Sunstone Park but also the connections that bind us as a community. I look forward to this year’s milestone anniversary celebration of the Luminary Festival, which is sure to be full of costume, lights, and creativity.”
Trent Reid, general manager for parks, recreation and culture with the City of Delta, said more than 3,000 people attended last year’s festival, and organizers are anticipating an even larger crown this year.
“Last year’s focus was the integration of expanded diversity into the festival and we are building on that theme this year,” Reid said in an email to the North Delta Reporter. “Every year we are amazed with the creativity, artistry and imagination of people’s costumes and lanterns. It is a great event for people of all ages to come out and be a participant.”
This year’s line up includes performances throughout the park from Circus West, juggler Mike Battie and Minds of a Snail Puppet Company, music by DJ Bella Sie, plus stilt-walkers, hoopers, face painting, a lion dance, drumming circle, Mehndi by Ruby, beautiful light installations and interactive activity stations.
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, and either craft lanterns beforehand (visit delta.ca/luminary for some easy ideas to try at home) or at the lantern-making station at the park. There will also be LED novelties for sale.
The festival culminates with the Lantern Parade around the lake at 8:30 p.m., followed by the main stage concert at 9.
Hungry festival goers will have their choice of fare to satiate any cravings, including food trucks from Altemaeker German Sausage House & Deli, Big Red’s Poutine, Bread and Cheese Gourmet Grilled Sandwiches, Camion Café Vietnamese Baguettes & Coffees, Little oOties Mini Donouts, Peace Sweetz Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Sky Thai, and The Mad Greek.
While there is no parking on site, the city will be running a free shuttle service between the North Delta Recreation Centre and Sunstone Park starting at 6 p.m. The bus has room for walkers, wheelchairs and scooters, and is equipped with an automatic lift. Parking at the rec centre is also free.
There will also be a few accessible parking spots reserved close to the park on Delsom Crescent for people who are unable to board the bus and require accessible parking.
Organizers are still looking for people to help with the festival set up, take down, and various activities during the event, including lantern-making, concession, community lanterns, various activity areas, the drum circle, and the craft table.
“Like most events, we cannot do this without the great support of volunteers and Delta’s business community — both financial support and in-kind services, in total this year — that make the event the great success it is sure to be,” Reid said.
Anyone interested in volunteering at Luminary (or any other city-run event) can fill out the online application form at delta.ca/city-hall/working-delta/volunteering/special-events.