Due to continued rain; Dubbo Regional Council has announced the cancellation of the DREAM Lanterns event that was scheduled for this Saturday, 22 October. Fong Lees Lane, a partnered event in the festival program, has also been cancelled and will not be held as originally planned for Friday, 21 October.
Dubbo Regional Council’s Manager Regional Events Kim Hague, acknowledges that whilst it is unfortunate to have to cancel this signature event on Dubbo’s cultural calendar, due to weather forecasts Council staff have no other alternative.
“The decision to cancel the DREAM Lanterns has been made after careful consideration of many factors. These include the unpredictability of the weekend’s weather; the safety of patrons; potential damage to iconic, signature lanterns; and the financial risk to market vendors due to low patronage or late cancellation.
“Council has come to this decision in consultation with key stakeholders of the event including LightnUp and Taronga Western Plains Zoo; as well as sponsors, suppliers and vendors” Ms Hague said.
Mayor Councillor Mathew Dickerson, said that whilst Council’s Regional Event’s Team have spent many months planning the DREAM Lantern parade and markets activity, including a wet weather contingency, the additional factors supported the decision to cancel; including unpredictability of the weather, the level of increased risk, and the community servicing impacts such as increased traffic and public safety.
“Whilst the cancellation of the event is disappointing, the priority is the safety of patrons and ensuring that future parades are not placed in jeopardy due to the damage that could occur to iconic lanterns under the predicted weather events” he said.
“Even though this signature event of DREAM Festival has been cancelled, Council’s event team will consider potential opportunities for a mini lantern event later in the year; which will be communicated to community as well as school groups that have made lanterns. Aside from this, the community has enjoyed many other events as part of this iconic festival of light and culture. Last weekend saw great patronage for events including Zoocoustic and the Seafood Festival and over 60,000 people have visited Sky Castle in Macquarie Street since its installation.” Councillor Dickerson said.
Sky Castle will remain in Macquarie Street until Sunday 24 October.
