Many thanks to all who made the Lantern Parade a success, especially to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan for supporting the event, Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy for joining the community of the parade, and to ALL of you who came out to walk together. It was incredible to see the excitement and creativity present in our historic park tonight! We estimated a crowd of about 1,000 — an amazing reflection of our Albany community!
So many community partners supported the event – a big thank you to Albany NY Library, City School District of Albany, Albany Institute of History & Art, Westminster Presbyterian Church Albany, Hebrew Academy of the Capital District, New Scotland Elementary School, Albany International Center and Dual Language Program, and Albany School of Humanities for holding or hosting workshops!
Students, teachers, Albany School of Humanities PTA, and Marie Culihan, principal of Albany School of Humanities, showed up with an incredible dragon lantern built by art teacher Amanda Mannato, proudly carrying it as they followed the Albany High School Marching Falcons on the parade route. Special thanks to Bryan Cady and John Halvorsen for sharing the talents of the AHS Jazz Ensemble and Marching Falcons. Your energy made the evening!
Thank you to Stewart’s Shops and Samascott Orchards for generously donating refreshments, and Ricky and the City of Albany Department of General Services for making sure the park and Lakehouse were ready for us and taking care of us all night!
We are already looking forward to next year!! Date TBD, but we know it will happen!
