Each year, at the middle of the eighth month of the Lunar Calender, Asians across the globe celebrate The Moonlantern Festival. It has various different names depending on where you go. Some people call it Mid-autumn Festival, some Mooncake Festival, but no matter what you call it, it is a day (or night I should say) of celebration and getting together to have fun, and enjoy the majestic sight of the brightest full moon of the year.
The Moonlantern Festival celebration in Adelaide started way back in 2007, with only but a handful of people attended. However over the years people have become more aware of the day, and it has now become a big celebration at Elder Park, part of the OzAsia Festival held around the same time of the year.
This year it was estimated that over 20,000 people attended. When I arrived I was stunned by the amount of people and events that's going on. Multiple food stalls were set up, stage performances were going on, and No one can miss the huge lotus lantern that was set up under the rotunda.
"Sheltered"
However, I know that most people are here for one reason alone. To look at the Moonlanterns Parade, featuring lanterns made by school and companies alike. And the anticipation is killing everyone. At least we were granted with a very beautiful sunset beside the river.
"Crowd"
The parade started at around 7 pm. It was a very long procession but I was very disappointed with it. Everyone expected that the procession would at least go around the rotunda once so that no matter where you stand you would still be able to see it, but it didn't happen. They just went around one side of the rotunda and straight down the stairs and to the back of the stage. I was among one of the hundreds rushing to the other side when we realized what was going on. I would strongly suggest the organizers to rethink the parade route in the future so that everyone gets to see the lanterns! In light of this unfortunate event I was unable to get any good shots of the parade. There was only one shot that I thought is not bad but still not good enough.
"Procession of The Lantern Bearers"
At the end of the parade was the fireworks, I got a very good spot and I enjoyed watching it as much as taking photos of it!
"Fireworks"
And I was really really lucky that near the end of the fireworks I got this accidental shot. One of the coolest shots I got out of that night!
"Boom"
After the fireworks I went around and take photos of the big lanterns they put up around the rotunda, here are a few examples.
"Wau" "Guitar of Love"
"Kirin"
"Teapot"
And I'll end this post with the grand view of the lanterns around the rotunda. The bright light at the background is the moon!
"Lantern Convention"
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