Illuminate Festival Plymouth
The festival sees Plymouth light up with a procession of lanterns. This year’s theme is Moshup the Giant, a Native American legend.
In 2016, Illuminate is on November 24 2016 to coincide with Thanksgiving, and there will be a procession of lanterns through Plymouth’s city centre. Due to the festival has grown every year, this year should be a fantastic one!.
In 2016, hundreds of people will participate. First, the parade is on Plymouth’s Barbican, at Commercial Wharf, where a choir will sing at the Mayflower Steps. It then makes its way through the city centre. Finally, it finishes at the Guildhall.
Importantly, this year’s procession is part of preparations for Mayflower 400. Although it’s still 4 years away, Plymouth is getting very excited about the 2020 celebration.
This is because Mayflower 400 is the 400 year anniversary of the Plymouth Pilgrims leaving Plymouth for the New World, hence the thanksgiving connection!
The Parade Lanterns
Local people, and some of them schoolchildren, build the lanterns. All across the city, community groups and schools have been preparing their lanterns. They use wicker for the frame and a translucent covering.
The only limit to the shapes are the artists’ imaginations so there will be a fabulous variety in the parade: as our video shows, basking sharks and mermaids, as well as different Native American tribes represented this year. Can’t wait to see it!
