GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The first of its kind in Michigan, the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is now open to the public at John Ball Zoo.
The lantern festival features 55 lantern installations, ranging from a giant butterfly-filled tree to a crab with moving claws. Some of the lantern sculptures are interactive, with blowing bubbles and blinking eyeballs. The festival officially opens Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.
“The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a totally new experience,” said Darci Napolillo, John Ball Zoo promotions and events manager, about visitors learning more about Asian culture and wildlife. “These are amazingly beautiful during the day and even better at night.”
The lanterns span a 1-mile path through John Ball Zoo, 1300 Fulton St. W, and will be available from now until June 11. The festival also includes special merchandise, themed foods and live entertainment from local cultural groups.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday, guests can buy tickets to experience the lit lanterns. Individual tickets are $22 and sold in half-hour timed slots starting at 7 p.m. Ticket details can be found here.
During a media preview of the festival on Tuesday, April 18, a group of lion dancers from Michigan State University were performing. The lion dancers will return on May 20 and during Memorial Day weekend.
The themed foods are served at The Whistle Stop, a concession stand located near the budgie aviary and next to the jellyfish sculptures. The limited time offerings include barbecue pork bao buns, pot stickers, egg rolls, wonton nachos, ice cream wonton nachos and hazelnut chocolate dessert bao buns. For adults, Mai Tais are served in a souvenir cup.
“We’ve tried to get the full festival feel,” Napolillo said. “I really hope people walk away excited to learn more about Asian culture and animals.”
Several of the lantern sculptures are placed directly next to their live counterparts, like the tigers, snowy owls and frogs. The company behind the lanterns, Tianyu Arts and Culture, created brand new pygmy hippo lanterns in honor of John Ball Zoo’s new pygmy hippo exhibit. The living, breathing pygmy hippos will be on display after Memorial Day.
To purchase tickets for the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, visit jbzoo.org. Tickets are priced at $22 for non-members or $19 for zoo members. Children under 2 get in free. A four-pack of tickets is $66 for non-members and $57 for members. The unlit lanterns can be seen during normal zoo hours with a regular zoo ticket.
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