When the sun dips behind Mount Macedon on Sunday night, a procession of lit lanterns will make its way around a dimly lit Whittlesea showgrounds.
It’s the fifth time that people affected by the Black Saturday bushfires and other residents have come together to commemorate the importance of strong, close-knit communities.
More than 600 lanterns have been made at primary schools and artist-led workshops in recent months, especially for the procession.
Some have been crafted into the shape of a house to hone in on this year’s theme: ‘Echoes of home’.
Artist and workshop teacher Lee McGill said this year’s theme explored the concept of a home. “What makes a home and how you welcome people into your home,” she said.
“People have made individual houses, but when they’re put together it’s a community.”
Ms McGill and her family lost their Flowerdale home in the devastating 2009 fires and have since moved to Whittlesea. She’s been involved in the lantern parade since its inception in 2010 and says it’s become more about welcoming new residents to the area than reflecting on the fires. “It’s more about bringing people together, growing stronger together.”
Live music, food stalls and family activities will be at the showgrounds for the Into The Light Festival, from 3pm until 7.30pm on Sunday, September 13.
For more information, email events@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 9217 2174.
