We were baffled when, en route to dinner at Hood's, we noticed a steady stream of out-of-state cars heading west on Route 82, and noticed that police had blocked off the driveways near Plantation Field. We also saw a lot of cars already parked at the top of the Plantation Field hill. One poor fellow apparently missed his turn and had pulled off at the feed lots to consult his GPS.
When we got to Hood's we asked what was going on (they know everything about Unionville) and learned that the visitors were massing for something called the Lights Fest, which according to the website, "is an experience where thousands of friends and families gather to listen to live music, fill up on great food and light up life by sharing personal wishes, dreams and goals. At the perfect moment, everyone ignites their personalized sky lanterns with Tiki torches and lets them take flight. It creates a surreal ambiance, where time slows down as your single flame rises with thousands of others. Come fill the sky with what lights you. The lights fest is dedicated to leaving a positive impact on the environment and everyone who attends our event."
But no matter how mindfully launched, what goes up must come down. The now-deflated lanterns are littering Green Valley Road, stuck in tree branches and utility wires. (The organizers say they're biodegradable.)
These festivals, I learned, are held all over America and in England and are organized by a business called Vive Events. The June 30 one was billed as being in the "New York Area," which explains all the out-of-state tags.
The next local one will be at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg on Aug. 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50, depending on how early you buy them.
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| These photos, which I took on Green Valley Road on July 4, show the remnants of the lanterns hanging in trees. |
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