AAPI Montclair’s Lantern Festival: A night of light, love and community
AAPI Montclair played host to the Third Annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance in Edgemont Memorial Park on Sunday, May 21. The magical and meaningful event lights up the park with thousands of lanterns in remembrance of those harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate, and brings Montclair — and its many community organizations — together for an evening like no other.
The Lantern Festival included remarks by local and state leaders, performances, live music, delicious offerings from food trucks, community partner tables, activities for children and the opportunity to dedicate a luminary with a special message.
Zara with her father, Fazaad Ally, sit by the pond at the AAPI Montclair Lanterrn Festival for Justice and Remembrance on Sunday, May 21. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Leonora Brooks and Jessica Jenns chat during the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance at Edgemont Park on Sunday, May 21. (WILLIAM PENN/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
From the island at Edgemont Memorial Park, brothers Sammy and Max Mellman play "What a Wonderful World." (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Martina Paez, left, and Vera Lee make paper lanterns at the AAPI Montclair Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
AAPI Montclair sells merchandise during the Lantern Festival. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Raheba Jannat stands with her paper lantern in Edgemont Memorial Park. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees listened to speakers during the AAPI Montclair Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance at Edgemont Memorial Park on Sunday. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Susan Shin Andersen emceed the Lantern Festival program. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
During an interfaith reflection, Rabbi Marc Katz speaks of the gift of a thousand cranes made by members of AAPI Montclair and their allies after the Molotov cocktail attack at Temple Ner Tamid in January. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
State Sen. Nia Gill speaks at the festival. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
From left, Maddie Bethards, Lilia Harmon, and Sofia Dranoff enjoying the festival. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Dancers Blu Furutate, left, and Mayu Nakaya perform "In-Visible" by Obremski/Works, directed and choreographed by Jesse Obremski. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees check out a table of resources for countering anti-Asian hate. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Chip Lemar, left, plays chess with Steve Moctezuma, an instructor for Zuma Chess. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Diane Anglin, first vice president of the Montclair branch of the NAACP, speaks with a young guest at the Juneteenth table. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Benjamin Bright distributes Out Montclair stickers. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Spoken word artist Mariah Ayscue shares her poetry. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A display offered details about the advocacy work of AAPI Montclair. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
An educational remembrance of those lost to Asian hate was on display. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
KOE duo Eva Ding, left, and Emma Kato performed on flute and cello. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Montclair Fleet Feet family, from left, Emilia, Dawn, John, Maddie, and Chelsea Fabbro enjoy the Festival for Justice and Rememberance at Edgemont Memorial Park on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Jessica Schlimmer, left, and Edriel Fimbres pose with their origami hearts. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A dog enjoys a stick inside a circle of lanterns. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Representatives of the Vanguard Theater Company provide information about the organization. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Chip Lemar, Joyce Sun and friends chat over pizza. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A lantern dedicated to Kaija Jung Andersen rests at the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance at Edgemont Memorial Park. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Participants dedicated lanterns to loved ones. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A lantern urging an end to anti-Asian hate. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Glowing lanterns line the paths and pond during the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembeance at Edgemont Memorial Park on Sunday, May 21. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Glowing lanterns line the paths and pond during the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance at Edgemont Memorial Park on Sunday, May 21. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The festival comes to a close. (KATE ALBRIGHT/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)