NEARLY 3,000 people turned out for a dramatic lantern parade in Lister Park last night (Friday).

Cecil Green Arts hosted its 11th lantern parade featuring a wide variety of lit-up puppets and lanterns made artist and community groups.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night.Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night. (Image: Philip Lickley - Telegraph & Argus Camera Club)

“It was a dramatic night with a lovely turnout of people,” said Cecil Arts director Harry Kingham. “There was a great parade with some lovely street performances and a fantastic finale.

“I’d estimate that there were about 3,000 people who attended last night,” he said. “It’s an annual event that attracts several thousand people, which was the culmination of six weeks of community engagement.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night.Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night. (Image: Philip Lickley - Telegraph & Argus Camera Club)

“It was a great atmosphere and really positive,” said Cecil Green Arts director and artist Katie Jones. “We had a lot of local people but also there were a lot more who had come from further afield.”

Katie said that event featured about 450 lanterns, 400 of which were made by community and youth groups.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The community was actively involved in Friday night's lantern parade.The community was actively involved in Friday night's lantern parade. (Image: UGC)

Another 50 lit-up lantern puppets were made by artists who worked on the project.

“It’s amazing how an event that started from a few hundred people now has thousands who attend,” said Katie. “It’s really grown over the years.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night.Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night. (Image: Philip Lickley - Telegraph & Argus Camera Club)

Cecil Green Arts held its first Bradford Lantern Parade 11 years ago, and with a break of two years due to the pandemic, this was the ninth event.

“We went with a green travel initiative and a ‘What On Earth’ theme this year.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night.Lanterns lit up Lister Park on Friday night. (Image: Philip Lickley - Telegraph & Argus Camera Club)

Cecil Green Arts also concluded last night’s event with a poignant finale.

“It was a fire drawing of a peace done flying over the world,” said Harry. “It was a dramatic picture in flames.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A fire drawing of a dove representing peace was the finale of a Lantern Parade in Lister Park on Saturday.A fire drawing of a dove representing peace was the finale of a Lantern Parade in Lister Park on Saturday. (Image: UGC)

“We thought it was a poignant symbol for hope and peace, particularly with what’s going on in Israel and Gaza right now,” added Katie.