Growing up in the Cedar Cottage neighbourhood, I have come to love the hustle and bustle of the shops and streets. Especially during various holidays and festivities. Now that I am a parent of two rambunctious boys, I really appreciate old traditions and making new ones. That is why I came up with the idea of the lantern festival at Jones Park.
My father always told stories of how when he grew up in Hong Kong, the Mid-Autumn Festival was the most fun. He and other children played in the parks and mountains holding homemade lanterns and admiring the full harvest moon. I wanted to create something for more than just my sons to enjoy. Something magical. Something which will evoke memories of fun and magic years from now. This is how the idea of a community lantern festival was born. The festival brought out so many children from the neighbourhood, and it was opened to everyone. Every child received an LED paper lantern, and moon cake. We also had a contest for the best lantern made by a child. Despite the foul weather, we still had close to 80 people attend the outdoor evening event. Even the older parents and grandparents had a wonderful time. I really hope to continue to do this every year because I want to be a part of something magical in the neighbourhood that I so love.
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