River of Light returns as a parade on Dec. 4

October 15, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

The 2020 River of Light was a drive-by event due to COVID-19. Lanterns here line the driveway to Dac Rowe Park. This year organizers plan to bring it back as a parade. File photo by Gordon Miller

The 12th annual River of Light Lantern Parade returns to the streets of Waterbury this year once again as a parade. 

The date is Saturday, Dec. 4, and the theme is “What Brings You Joy,” according to organizers. 

The parade in 2020 for the first time was not conducted as a procession with people carrying handmade lanterns. Due to COVID-19, it was reconfigured as a series of displays at Waterbury’s Dac Rowe Park, Crossett Brook Middle School, Red Hen Bakery and Cafe and Waitsfield Elementary School. People mostly drove past the installations to enjoy them.  

This year the parade will return to its familiar format with Brookside Primary School (formerly Thatcher Brook Primary School) on Stowe Street as the starting point. The route will be Stowe Street to Main Street to Dac Rowe Park for a bonfire and entertainment. 

Lantern-making workshops are planned for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6-7, at Brookside Primary School. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 6; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 7) These sessions are intended for working on large-scale lanterns that often require more than one person to carry. 

On Saturday, Nov. 13, community lantern sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and again 1-3 p.m. for making simple lanterns. 

Workshops are free to attend but registration is required and donations to help with supply costs are appreciated. Kids under 8 must have an adult along. Tools and supplies are provided. Each session will be limited to 25 participants.

For more information, visit the website ariveroflightinwaterbury.org. To register for a workshop, email ariveroflightwaterbury@gmail.com.