Stilt-walkers make "fire circles" at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Photo: Still Moon Arts Society
One of Vancouver’s most unique multicultural festivals happens next Saturday, September 17: the 9th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.
Taking place in East Vancouver, the free Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival honours diverse cultural traditions—including the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival—with a celebration of harvest abundance, renewal and environmental stewardship. Lanterns for the festival are made by family and friends in the community, and the choice of Renfrew Ravine as the venue further symbolizes community spirit and renewal: the Ravine, today a lovely nature park, was once a garbage pit, transformed through the loving care of the neighbouring community.
The Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011 features:
- Harvest Fair at Slocan Park with food, music, art, and “harvest abundance” – 4pm – 7pm
- Twilight lantern parade along Renfrew Ravine from Slocan Park to Renfrew Park – starting at 7:15pm
- Lanterns, art, music, tea and moon cakes at Renfrew Park from 7:30pm – 9pm
- Finale at Renfrew Park field with live music—including swing and jazz, so be ready to dance!—plus stilts and fire spinning – starting at 8:45pm
If you want to participate in creating the lanterns for the 2011 Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, there’s still time: Schedule of Public Lantern Workshops through September 16.
