Shine On - Illuminares Festival, Saturday July 28

So I have a confession - I've never actually been to the Illuminares Lantern Procession. When people talk about it (often in hushed, reverent tones), I fall into that sort of muted show of appreciation that indicates, without actually speaking, that I know just what they're talking about. I'm ashamed, really, and so I'm making it up this year - and bringing a boat-load of enthusiasm to cover up my ignorance. I know there are those die-hards who will tell me that it has lost its rebel yell, the spirit of irreverence that made it so magical back in the day ("When I was young, we were all naked and stoned! For hours! With fire!"), but just like we can't all have walked ten miles barefoot in the snow to school, we need to take what we can get.

Still, I'm excited. I mean, it's people cavorting in the woods! With glowing orbs or something! And have you heard about the dancing animal woman? Because I haven't, but apparently we'll be paying her tribute!

The festivities begin at 6:30pm this Saturday, July 28 at Trout Lake with hula hooping, a barn dance, circus performances, and folk song. The procession lights up at 9:05pm, followed by fireshows (c'mon, fireshows!). Check out the full schedule here - and be sure to stay in the spirit by taking public transit or riding your bike.

I suppose you could placidly watch some big balls of fire erupt many miles from where you sit - or you could head to Illuminares and indulge your inner pyro by making your own flames. With reverence, of course.

Photo by alientologist in the Vancouver Flickr pool