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Atlanta Lantern Boat Festival (Gainesville)
November 9 @ 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
“Inspired by Luang Prabang’s Boun Lai Heua Fai, also known as the Light Boat Festival, the Laotian American Society (LAS) is bringing this radiant Lao celebration to Georgia titled the Atlanta Lantern Boat Festival. In honor of over 20 years of service, LAS is hosting its inaugural annual event on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.
The site of the Annual Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Gainesville, Georgia’s Lake Lanier Olympic Park offers a serene, mountainous, and historic setting, a premiere location to host this ceremonious and lively event. This festival will be a vibrant fusion of cultures, featuring live music, cultural performances, a night market, a dragon boat demonstration, and a lantern lighting ceremony.
The Light Boat Festival is a revered tradition that in tradition seeks blessings and good fortune from the nagas (water spirits). Boats are beautifully decorated and paraded before being illuminated and set afloat on the river as sacred offerings. Additionally, floating flowers on the river symbolize the warding off of misfortune and gratitude to the water spirits. In this spirit, the Atlanta Lantern Boat Festival will include a parade through the park during the evening, with dragon boats adorned with lanterns gracing the lake.
Festival Mission
The festival enriches the multicultural fabric of
Georgia by introducing a unique and vibrant cultural celebration and presence of Laotian Americans to a broader audience. Its themes of light and water symbolize renewal, hope, and the cleansing of negativity, offering participants a sense of optimism and community while fostering greater understanding and respect. All raise proceeds will aid in LAS’ operation, mission, and programs.”
$10.00 General Festival Ticket | Children under 13 years old are free with an accompanying adult.
When: Saturday, November 9, 2024 (1:00pm-9:00pm)
Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506
(Note: This location is about 30 miles/30 minutes (with no traffic) from the Mall of Georgia. Definitely allow extra time for the shuttle or parking.)
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