The Sharrow Autumn Carnival has been organising festivities for eight years, with a chance for people to create lanterns and participate in the parade.
The Sharrow Community Forum started the lantern festival to address local issues, and it has evolved into a joyful event that strengthens community bonds.
The event is organised with the aim of reclaiming the space from issues related to fireworks and local gangs.
Organiser Jonathan Roberts, 60, said: “The reason for it was working with the police because of all the trouble locally, so we started doing lantern workshops eight years ago, and it’s just grown bit by bit but originally it was about reclaiming the space really.
“But actually, what the real message is how communities can get themselves together and actually produce something that is great and fun and actually makes opportunities to reclaim these spaces.”
Going forward, it transforms into a community-friendly and unifying experience.
The parade started at 5pm from Highfield Adventure Playground, and marched around the sharrow community.
Mr Roberts said: “I love this sort of stuff. This is an opportunity for everyone to get together. It’s a really friendly parade. Everybody gets along well and all the children get to have a lantern.”
Parents create their own festive lanterns with their children, fostering a sense of creativity and community connection during the lantern carnival.
Nihal Sanlioglo, 46, mother of one, said: “As parents today we are looking for more like free festivals, which is really good and also it’s our community, so we are really enjoy it.
“It’s the fun of building excitement towards it, and it’s part of the community, so most of the children know each other, they met in the playground before and also really good for parents, because we are socialising with each other.”
Participant Frank Wong, 14, said: “This is a good event for spending time with my family, it is an enjoyable night.
“This is the first time I am joining this festival, and I really like it. I can see many beautiful lanterns, watching fire spinners, they are doing really great.”
