Wolverton shines on at annual Lantern Festival

December delivered the 28th edition of Wolverton Lantern Festival, MK’s longest established lantern parade. Boasting giant lantern creations of a spaceman from Wyvern First School, an Egyptian Sarcophagus from Bushfield Middle School,  paraffin lit ‘Great Fire of London’ lantern flats by the children of Greenley’s First School, as well as hundreds of ‘horrible history themed’ lanterns created by visitors. Stony Stratford volunteers brought a huge Spike the Dragon lantern to the parade, after learning how to make the giant willow creations in Wolverton’s ‘train to build’ workshops. 

Concrete Circus youth troupe wowed the crowds with stilt-walking knights and unicycling princesses, whilst Black Diamond Majorettes spun their batons at the speed of light. Bushfield School Samba Band and Nova Guarda provided carnival beats and sonic energy during the parade.  Audiences to The Square were treated to music from local artists including the Wolverton Town Band, dancing from local groups, and singing from Rock Choir, as well as a very special guest, Queen Victoria who addressed audiences and began the parade. 

Months of activities were made possible by the generosity of funders Wolverton and Greenley’s Town Council, Wolverton Science and Arts Institute, MK Community Foundation, and donations in kind from Co-op and Tesco, that help sustain and grow the event each year.

Next year will be MK’s fiftieth birthday, and the Festival team would like to encourage music, dance and community groups across MK who can bring even more colour and light to the parade to get in touch.

www.facebook.com/WolvertonLanternFestival