“Shine Your Light, Share Your Story”
EVENING LANTERN PARADE
Thursday, February 21st @ 6:00 pm
Getting Ready for the Parade:
Please arrive between 5:20-5:40 pm to collect your lantern and a pole from your classroom, assemble your light, and line up on the Park Ave playground
Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade Students: go to the hallway near your classrooms.
All lanterns will be marked with students’ names so take a minute to make sure you have the right lantern.
Instructions on how to turn on the lights will be supplied. Additional lights will be available at the Big Gym for returning UES students who bring back their lanterns. You will also be given a bamboo pole to use for the duration of the parade (please return the pole at the State House Lawn for future use)
By 5:45 pm at the latest, please make your way to Park Avenue. A steward will help to direct you to a place in the parade where you can wait until we start.
Child Supervision:
Students must have a responsible adult accompany them on the parade route. If you would like to have one adult be responsible for a small group of students, that would be okay. BUT students CANNOT be dropped off at the parade site to be met at the end. If your child becomes separated, they should find a steward (stewards will be wearing bright yellow vests.) The hot chocolate table will double up as the meet-up spot.
What to Wear:
Please do dress warmly! You will be outside for a while. Waterproof shoes, thermals, gloves, hats, etc. Gloves are especially useful for carrying the bamboo pole.
The Parade Route:
We will line up on Park Avenue and process Left on Loomis Street, Right on School Street, Left on Main Street, Right on Langdon Street, Right on Elm Street, Left on Court Street to the State House Lawn
Lantern Parade Etiquette:
To make this a safe and fun event for everyone in the parade, please go over the following lantern etiquette with your child before the parade:
- Stay with your family or responsible adults
- No running with lanterns
- No swinging the lantern about
- No overtaking the band or stewards with the banner at the front. The band will set the pace!
- Hold the bamboo pole firmly with two hands – with the lantern out in front of them and not back over the shoulder. Please be aware of the people around you and hold your lanterns as high as possible, where it can be seen and enjoyed by all.
- Keep in tight formation
- Have FUN! Remember to take care of yourself, your friends and your community!
State House Lawn Finale/Celebration:
Hot chocolate and cider will be served and there will be music and entertainment. When you arrive at the State House Lawn, please HAND YOUR POLE TO A STEWARD (who will be wearing a yellow safety vest). The lanterns and lights may be taken home. The celebration will end at 7:00 pm. You may go home directly from the State House Lawn. Please instruct your children to meet you at the hot chocolate table if you become separated. This will double-up as a meeting spot.
Thank You for all the Generous Donations for the Residency and Parade!
We Appreciate Our Sponsors:
Union Elementary School Parents Group
Community National Bank
SunCommon
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Champlain Orchards
Hunger Mountain Coop
Tarrant, Gillies and Richardson, Attorneys at Law
The Complete Streets Group
