2008 Cumberland Taiwanese Lantern Festival
Welcome to the 4th annual Cumberland Taiwanese Lantern Festival. This event is the result of an exciting partnerships between the Village of Cumberland, the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society and many local cultural groups and volunteers.
We welcome you to join us in the Village of Cumberland between March 29th and April 6th 2008 and to join us in this rich celebration of lights, lanterns, community and cross cultural exchange!
2008 Lantern Exhibit
Cumberland Recreation Hall
Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
This years dazzling lantern exhibit will celebrate the lunar new year, lantern festivals, Nian`s story and the signs of the Zodiacs. Entry is by donation.
Lantern Festival Foot Parade and Opening Ceremony
Saturday March 29
Join us for the opening of the Lantern Festival at the Recreation Hall and enjoy the unveiling of the community lanterns and the sponsor recognition ceremony at 5:00. Acclaimed actor Jeff Hyslop from Showcase Theatre will be Master of Ceremonies.
Then hit the streets for the much anticipated Lantern Festival Foot Parade. The parade, led by a percussion ensemble, leaves the corner of 1st and Dunsmuir at 7:00 pm. Follow the fun to Village park for fire spinners and fire dancers, a release of sky lanterns and Fireworks!
Taiwanese Market
Cumberland Recreation Hall
Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
The new feature to the annual Lantern Festival is a Taiwanese Market based on Hakka people of Taiwan. The Hakka people are renown for their love of the “paulowina blossom” and their fabrics and garmets feature designs of this beautiful flower. Simple fabrics are transformed into beautiful and practical commodities including handbags, cases, coin purses and other delightful Taiwanese souvenirs.
Food Booth
Cumberland Recreation Hall
Daily 9 am to 5 pm
This years food booth is being presented by the Cumberland Community Schools Society as a fundraiser for their important school an community programs.
Glass Artist Ang-fu Huang
Glass Art Demonstrations
Daily at the Cumberland Recreation Hall 11- 2 pm, Saturdays 11-2 and 4 pm
Glass is a practical material used widely in our daily life. However, it can also be crafted into great art works. Master crafter An-fu Huang discovered glassware while still a student in Hsin-chu, was amazed and attracted by the brilliance of crystal-like glass, and aspired to be a great glass crafter. He later served as an apprentice in a glass factory where he gained knowledge but knew that mass-production could not advance him artistically. He studied under senior crafters for six or seven years. Through his talent and hard work, his art works have gained high acclaim. Mr. Huang, now serves as the chair of Taiwan Handicrafts Development Association,and devotes his time and effort to promoting glass art and teaching young people.
Community Lanterns
Unveiled at the opening ceremonies
March 29, 5 pm
Community groups and community leaders have been invited to construct lanterns that represent their organizations. These Lanterns will be unveiled during the opening ceremonies.
Taishan Barbie Exhibit
Cumberland Cultural Centre
Daily 9 am to 7 pm
Despite Barbie's golden tresses, Taishan in Taiwan is one of the most famous home towns of this very famous doll. Mattel Ltd. produced these dolls from 1967 to 1987. The factory employed over 2,000 people making every single part of the Barbie dolls, from the molded plastic and polyvinyl chloride bodies right down to the final packaging. Former employees are still nostalgic when talking about the halcyon days of working at Mattel's flagship Barbie factory. This years Barbie exhibit will feature all new dolls with new costumes and traditional and modern fashions created by Barbie fans from Taishan.
Dragon Boat Races
Cumberland Lake Park Campground
Saturday, April 5, 10 am
Head out to beautiful Comox Lake for Dragon Boat races coordinated by Comox Recreation Centre.
Village Restaurants and Store Specials all week long!
Be sure to explore the colourful streets of Cumberland and check out the exciting new stores and restaurants that have joined our downtown community. Your can find Indian, Canadian and Chinese Food, great coffee, awesome pub grub, retro fashions, gifts and souvenirs, antiques and collectibles and so much more. Experience our downtown charm!
Cumberland Museum Guided Tours
Let our staff and volunteers take you on a guided tour of the Cumberland Museum. These tours are available Monday through Friday for groups of 5 for $30 or groups of 10 for $50. Or contact the museum directly to plan your visit! School Tours are welcome! The museum is open daily for self guided tours from 9-4 Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 4 on Saturday.
