Our Lady of Calvary student Sadie Olszewski, 13, was one of four students chosen to bring their drawings to life for this year’s Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Student Design Contest presented by Temple University.
Before the festival opened to the public, children ages 8-14 were invited to submit a drawing of a dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Four students’ designs, including Sadie’s, were selected and the drawings were crafted into professionally designed lanterns.
Sadie’s lantern, which is a pink dragon with cherry blossoms printed on it, was crafted by Chinese artisans with wire framing and silk wrapping over LED lights. The lanterns are on display at the festival, and the four students will be able to take them home at the conclusion of the festival.
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, in Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets, brings light and culture with steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted artistic sculptures. The 200-foot-long dragon returns along with an array of more than 1,200 individual creations assembled into nearly 40 enormous displays for guests to walk among and enjoy. In addition to the light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, taste expanded food and drink options, including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Lotus Cocktail Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site. Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits Historic Philadelphia Inc. for the programming and care of Franklin Square.
The festival will illuminate Franklin Square through Aug. 18. Visit www.phillychineselanternfestival.org for ticket information.
