Lantern Fest 2023 at Crooked River Lighthouse

Lantern Fest lights up the night with magic and history on Saturday, November 11 from 6-10 pm at Crooked River Lighthouse Park, 1975 Highway 98 West, Carrabelle, FL. This unique, outdoor birthday celebration is best known for its awesome display of over a hundred colorful, hanging lanterns like candles on a cake. Special activities include amazing music by The Currys, spectacular glow-in-the-dark performance from the Tallahassee Community College Dance Company, special evening tower climbs, ancient crafts demos, enchanting glowing lantern display, museum displays, gift shop, and delicious food and desserts for sale. Advance admission is $15 for an evening of music, dance, ancient craft demos and glowing lantern displays.

Headlining this year’s program will be the talented musical group, The Currys. The Currys, featuring brothers Tommy Curry (vocals/ guitar), Jimmy Curry (vocals, guitar) and cousin Galen Curry (vocals, bass), have been staking their claim within the Americana music scene since 2013. This harmony-based folk-rock band cut their teeth playing the oyster bars and listening rooms of the Florida Panhandle. Their songs defy any neat categorization – country nostalgia, folk-pop, harmony-driven Americana, and grittier, mature folk-rock.

The talented Tallahassee Community College Dance Company will dazzle guests on the outdoor stage with their superb choreography, amazing talent and imaginative use of glow-in-the-dark props. Master Zheng Player, Dr. Haiqiong Deng, will be returning to Lantern Fest to join the TCC Dance Company for part of their performance. The Crooked River Lighthouse is honored to have this internationally renowned player of the 21-string Chinese gu-zheng (zheng) perform again.

In addition to fabulous dance and music performances, over a hundred colorful, hanging lanterns will be on display throughout the grounds of the lighthouse park. Many of these lanterns are truly works of art and have been painstakingly hand-made by the incredible Joan Matey and other gifted local artists. Ancient crafts demonstrators will share their talents. Delicious food will be available for purchase from two food trucks this year – A Train Stop and Pineapple AC2.  The Beacon Bistro will be selling delectable desserts and coffee.

Bring a chair and come revel in this unique birthday party of the 1895 maritime landmark as it turns 128 years old. Advance tickets are recommended as this event sells out. Cost is $15 for tickets in advance and $20 at the gate and includes an evening of music, dance, ancient craft demos and glowing lantern displays. (Food and tower climbs available for additional cost so please bring cash.) Tickets are available at https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com/lantern-fest/   or in the gift shop. For more information, contact (850) 697-2732 or carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. Special thanks to the City of Carrabelle.