Waterbury’s first community lantern parade, the “River of Light
Lantern Parade,” will take place on Thursday, December 16, 2010
from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm.

The procession has a Brazilian Fiesta theme that corresponds
with the Thatcher Brook Primary School annual cultural
awareness week. Burlington’s twenty-person street samba band,
Sambatucada, will lead the procession.

Spectators are welcome to line the parade route, which starts
at Thatcher Brook school, goes down Railroad Street to Rusty
Parker Park, north on Main Street, right onto Stowe Street and
culminating back at Thatcher Brook school. While at Rusty
Parker Park, there will be a short musical performance by the
students.

About 150 willow and paper lanterns are being made by the
students under the guidance of area artists. The procession
will also be joined by these artists who are creating larger-
scale lanterns.

The project, sponsored in part by the Vermont Arts Council and
the National Endowment for the Arts, is intended to build
cultural awareness and draw the community together in
celebration. Lanterns are a symbol of returning light,
creativity and community spirit.

The parade route starts at the Thatcher Brook School on Stowe
Street and goes to the Rusty Parker Park on Main Street and
then back via Main St.to the school.

Waterbury’s restaurants and pubs will be open before and after
the parade. All are within walking distance or a short drive.
If you would like to do some holiday shopping, this is a great
way to watch a unique holiday event and enjoy Waterbury’s
retail stores at the same time.