People behind the Lismore’s Lantern Parade | Lismore City News

The Lantern Parade is Lismore’s signature event, with hundreds of lanterns bringing light to the heart of the CBD each winter solstice.

And while it is pretty whimsical, it doesn’t happen by magic. There’s a huge amount of work that goes into making sure the event goes ahead each year.

At the helm is artistic director Jyllie Jackson, the dreamer whose flights of fancy are forged from bamboo and paper, then brought to life with light.

With the parade just a few weeks away, on June 24, Jyllie takes a moment from her whirlwind schedule to talk about the people who help make it happen.

Brett Haydon has been Jyllie’s right hand man for 21 years, making all of the big lanterns, like Pegasus. He helped out by offsider Tim Somerville.

Martin Fox has been working with Jyllie for 23 years, and is the “architect” of the group. He is creating some exciting pieces for this year’s event. But they remain a secret for now.

Karen Schafer is the group’s “fixer” and has been doing “all sorts of things” for the parade since 2017.

Andrya Hart only started working on lanterns last year, but “has taken to it like a duck to water”.

She’s been hard at work making some of the big lanterns for the fiery finale, with help from Laila Page.

Greg Meek takes care of all their graphic design work and Greg Neal crafts all the candle holders, hooks and cross pieces by hand and looks after the batteries.

Jonathan Beresford has been working on the electricals and lighting since 2005 when he walked in the door fresh from Wales. His son now helps out too.

Janine Hardaker also works on the big lanterns, and has been with the group on-and-off for six years. She made the Costa lantern.

Resident fairy Nixie Wilson loved the Lantern Parade so much she moved to Lismore to be part of it, looking after the books and administration, running workshops and making lanterns.

Robyn Kelly has been with the parade for “years and years”, and manages the Market deLight.

Elly Bird has been a long time collaborator and who works on the fiery finale.

Alan Lethbridge is a “magician with paper, and Chang has made more than 1000 pyramid lanterns

Jyllie talks about the “fantastic kids” from Lismore Heights Public School, who come in every year to help make lanterns and learn about the importance of community service.

They also get “loads of support” from groups such as the SES, guides and scouts, Wellways, the Greens, Forests on Friday, Sourdough Women’s Network, and a team from Katrina Beohm Real Estate.

These are just some of the people who contribute, there are “lots and lots” more people, Jyllie says.