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Dazzling walk through Airlie to the Foreshore.
The Great Barrier Reef Festival's Lantern Parade will once again light up Airlie Beach this year, with families, friends and visitors invited to make their own lanterns before taking part in the walk that truly kicks off the festivities.
The community parade has become a favourite on the festival calendar, bringing together hundreds of people to walk from Coral Sea Marina Resort to the Airlie Beach Foreshore carrying colourful handmade bamboo lanterns.
Those planning to take part in the parade can craft a lantern worthy of lighting up the boardwalk, with lantern-making workshops being held at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday, July 25.
Two lantern-making workshops will be held ahead of the parade, giving participants the opportunity to create their own bamboo paper lanterns. Sessions start at 10am and 12pm, with lanterns costing $10 each. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Festival organisers are encouraging people to book early, with the workshops offering a fun way for families and friends to get involved before the celebrations officially begin.
On the night of the parade, participants will meet from 5.30pm at The Garden Bar Bistro beside the Coral Sea Marina Resort. Judging for the most colourful and most creative lanterns will begin at 5.45pm, with prizes awarded before the parade sets off at 6pm.
From there, the lanterns will wind through the marina before making their way along the Bicentennial Boardwalk, passing Sorrento's Restaurant and Bar before arriving at Fairy Tree Park on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.
The parade finishes near the festival movie screen, where spectators can gather for the Welcome to Country and Traditional Dance ceremony before enjoying the rest of the opening night's entertainment.
Live music, cultural performances and family-friendly activities will continue across the foreshore throughout the evening, before the festival's opening night concludes with the much-anticipated fireworks display at 8pm.
Whether you're carrying a lantern you've made yourself or simply finding a spot along the boardwalk to watch them pass by, the Lantern Parade continues to be one of the Great Barrier Reef Festival's standout events and a colourful way to kick off a weekend of celebrations.
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