Hundreds attend lantern parade in Newbury

The parade was held this evening followed by the surprise finale - an aerial acrobatic display

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Newbury town centre this evening (Sunday) for the last outdoor event of the year – the lantern parade.

Following two lantern-making workshops at Newbury Library,this Saturday and last Saturday, scores of parents and children joined in the annual festive parade.

The parade started at the Methodist Church in Northbrook Street where families, with their lanterns held high, followed a team of drummers to the Market Place.

Then came the finale - the details of which the Corn Exchange had kept under their hats.

People looked on in awe as a giant spherical lantern floated into the night sky with a Christmas fairy hanging below.

She performed an aerial acrobatic display to music as the sphere glowed the colours of the rainbow and floated above the square.

Kate Pike, from Thatcham, said: “It was fantastic; I would definitely come again.”

For more pictures click on the gallery link and see this Thursday's Newbury Weekly News for more reaction.