Whanganui gets first ever lantern festival on Friday

A taste of the festivities - (from left) Jan McLeod, Sonny Bai and Bronwyn Paul show of the lanterns. Photo/ Stuart Munro

Tai chi swords, sweet dumplings and lanterns galore will make up Whanganui's first Chinese lantern festival on Friday evening on Moutoa Quay.

The celebration traditionally marks the last day of Chinese New Year which this year began on Friday, February 16.

Event organiser Jan McLeod said with the increased publicity of Chinese New Year and the growing numbers of Chinese people coming to Whanganui it was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the culture.

"Basically we want to give Whanganui a taste of a real Chinese lantern festival by creating as much atmosphere as possible."

Ms McLeod said there was plenty of entertainment to get excited about including Mr Ding the Drummer, a group of young dancers from Palmerston North, tai chi swords and calligraphy writing.

"People can bring a gold coin donation to try the delicious sweet dumplings that are round like the moon to represent family togetherness."

But the real eye catcher will be the dozens of lanterns displayed among the trees on Moutoa Quay where the Riverside Market is located.

Three larges boxes have been delivered to Whanganui from Ms McLeod's friend in China.

"We were overwhelmed by how many lanterns we have - it's going to look really spectacular."

Ms McLeod said last year they had thrown the idea about but there wasn't enough time and everyone was too busy.

"So this year we have made the commitment and we hope it will become an annual thing."

UCOL manager Bronwyn Paul had also been helping out with the organising, getting the word out to as much of the community as possible.

"I think there is a lot of potential for this event to become something big in Whanganui. Next year we'd like to have a Chinese dragon boat paddling along the awa."

As 2018 is the Year of the Dog, families are invited to stroll - with their dogs on leads - among the lanterns.

Children are invited to bring their own lanterns on a stick or a string with LED lighting for safety reasons.

The lanterns will be hung from 4.30pm onwards and the event will start at 7.30pm on Moutoa Quay.