CASPA will help light up Lismore and lead the annual Lantern Parade, carrying the iconic Pegasus lantern for the event’s 30th anniversary.
With over 30,000 people traveling to the northern NSW town from across Australia and around the globe, CASPA, a leading child welfare and care services provider, will be accompanied by some of the young community members they actively support.
CASPA CEO Naarah Rodwell said leading the parade and standing alongside these young people is incredibly fulfilling.
“At CASPA, we are all about inspiring people to thrive. In Northern NSW, we provide crucial support and services that empower individuals and build inclusive communities,” she said.
“Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Lantern Parade is a valuable opportunity for our young people to connect with their community, contributing to something that holds a special meaning to everyone.
“Lismore is a town of resilient people, having overcome the devastating 2022 floods. The Lantern Parade has become a catalyst in the community’s healing.
Naarah said as the CEO of an organisation that provides homes and care for children, it was the lantern parade many years ago that showed her how a community can really nurture the young people that find themselves in care.
“We initially decided to go in the parade and have the young people walk alongside all of us. The feedback from the kids was overwhelming, how it made them feel a part of their local community and not on the outside of it. This was a feeling they said they hadn’t felt before,” she said.
The Lismore Lantern Parade is an acclaimed annual festival celebrated both nationally and internationally, marking the Winter Solstice—a time of hope and rejuvenation.
Event organiser Jyllie Jackson said the vibrant parade features a dazzling procession of lanterns, light displays, and performances winding through Lismore's main streets, culminating at the banks of the Wilson’s River with theatrical performances, fireworks, and a spectacular bonfire.
“Pegasus turns 21 this year and has been a magical part of the parade for so long, bringing joy wherever he travels,” Jyllie said.
"It is wonderful to have CASPA as Pegasus' Lanterneers. They are the perfect match, creating magic with the incredible support they bring to young people in our region."
Approximately 2,500 participants join the parade, including community organisations, schools, preschools, bands, and numerous performers. Local businesses and organisations also take part, fostering team spirit among their staff. Participants converge from across the region—from Evans Head and Byron Bay to Tweed, Tabulam, Kyogle, and Casino.
Article released July 2024