In the blink of a pandemic minute, as Beacon was brimming over with parades and outdoor events, all them went poof and ended, starting with the St. Paddy’s Day Parade 2020. Last year, 2021, during the first “mask down” transition, before the Delta variant take-over, there were hopes of outdoor events, but Delta dictated caution. Beacon’s City Council at the time was hesitant to approve even an outdoor market at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, which they ultimately approved. Later in September, the Spirit of Beacon Day committee made the tough decision to not congregate tables of nonprofit, artistic and community groups for a second year.

Now in 2022, during this week’s City Council Meeting, a Beacon resident, Dennis Pavlov, approached the podium during Public Comment to encourage a reboot of outdoor events and parades. A first event was then promoted by Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair during his Community Report, describing a lantern event celebrating with lights for the coming spring. Like most events in Beacon, this one is volunteer based, organized by the people of Beacon Spring. The parade will be on Saturday, February 19th, “for an evening walk celebrating the coming spring, lunar new year, light, hope, warmth, renewal and kids! Everyone is welcome!” according to the event’s press release.

Beacon Spring went on to explain: “So many cultures around the world celebrate the end of winter with light! Thousands of lanterns are released in the sky during Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, fires and candles lit in honor of fertility goddess Brigid in Ireland, bonfires in Switzerland and Germany for Walpurgis Night, lighting candles for Passover, a 5 day fire fiesta in Valencia Spain to name a few. We want to make our own big town/small city festival to celebrate light in Hudson Valley. “

LANTERN MAKING: 2/13/2022
Prior to the lantern walk, there will be a lantern-making event on Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 10am-2pm at the Beacon Farmers Market, 223 Main Street Beacon NY. Materials will be provided.

PARADE AGENDA: 2/19/2022
Rain date 2/20/2022
5:30pm - Gather at Polhill Park - Main Street & South Ave. Bring lanterns, illuminate our light, line up and kick off the walk.

6:00pm - Parade Starts up the sidewalks of Main Street, bringing light, music and cheer.

6:30pm - Celebrate at The Yard, the building at 4 Hanna Lane. Display our lanterns. Drink tea and eat tasty morsels around the fire. Dress warm but be ready to dance to the music!