The lanterns are hung, the Royal Court and Royal Guard selected and now it is time for the Mandarin to Open the Gates. The week long Feast of Lanterns celebration is ready to begin.
The events start Wednesday, July 26 at noon with the Opening Ceremony and run through Sunday, July 30. All the events are Free for adults and children with the exception of the Feast of Flavors and the Pageant Day Feast of Food and some Children’s Activities. You won’t want to miss a thing this year – there is something NEW around every corner. Here are all the details for each event.
Opening Ceremony Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Chautauqua Hall on 16th Street at Central Avenue
This year there will be so many new things happening at the Opening Ceremony. For the first time a Royal Guard will be introduced with Queen Topaz and the Royal Court. The Mandarin will “Open the Gates” to kick of this event. Presenting Sponsor: Lovers Point Inn
The Royal Guard will perform a martial arts demonstration choreographed by Jason Costanza of I-Qi Movement Arts. The First United Methodist Church Handbell Ministry, under the direction of Sharon Ericksen, will perform songs in honor the Chautauqua Assembly and the Methodist founding of Pacific Grove along with a beautiful handbell piece from a Chinese Opera. Stevie McKim-Kirmel’s Rockstar Dance Studio will perform several dance pieces that honor the gem stones of the Royal Court, the bond between Queen Topaz and Scholar Chang, along with a few fun contemporary pieces that will include the Royal Court and Royal Guard. Mayor Kampe and Queen Topaz will cut the ceremonial cakes. This event is FREE to the public.
Feast of Flavors
Thursday, July 27, 2017 11:30 am till the foods is all gone!
Chautauqua Hall on 16th Street at Central Avenue
Join the 2017 Feast of Lanterns Royal Court and Royal Guard at our local restaurant showcase known as the Feast of Flavors. The event will be at Chautauqua Hall and will feature tasty foods from many of the fabulous restaurants here in Pacific Grove. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Music by DNA Entertainment Presenting Sponsor: Fairway Shopping Center
Featured Local Restaurants:
17th Street Grill, Aliotti’s Victorian Corner, Bechler’s Bakery, Beach House, China House, Fandango, First Awakwenings, Golden Tee, Happy Girl Kitchen, Holly’s Lighthouse Café, La Mia Cucina, Max’s Grill, Michael’s Grill and Tacqueria, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Pacific Thai Cuisine, Peppers Mexicali Café, Petra’s Café, and Vivolo’s Chowder House
Feast of Lanterns Pet Parade
Friday, July 28, 2017 2:00-3:00 pm
Caledonia Park on Central Avenue
Join the 2017 Feast of Lanterns Royal Court and Royal Guard in a local favorite, the Pet Parade! Bring your cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, turtles, etc! Participants must gather at Caledonia Park by 2:00pm, and the parade starts through downtown PG at 2:30pm. The Royal Court and Guard will hand out participation ribbons along with their trading cards. PG’s Recreation Department will hand out sweat treats after the parade ends in the park. This event is FREE to the public.
Sponsored by the Pacific Grove Recreation Department.
Feast of Dancing
Friday, July 28, 2017 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Chautauqua Hall on 16th Street at Central Avenue
Join the 2017 Feast of Lanterns Royal Court, Royal Guard and DJ Chris from DNA Entertainment at a hometown dance party! The DJ will be mixing a combination of favorite songs of the 2017 Royal Court and Royal Guard that will include songs for the kids, a father, daughter dance, mother, son dance, line dancing, and lots of tunes designed to get you shaking your tail feathers. TheRotal Court and Royal Guard will perform a routine, choreographed by Stevie McKim-Kirmel of Rockstar Dance Studio. It is FREE to the public.
Presenting Sponsor: Fairway Shopping Center
Feast of Lanterns Pageant Day
Friday, July 29, 2017 10:00am – 10:00 pm
Lovers Point off Ocean View Boulevard
Come down to Lovers Point Park on Saturday and join the Royal Court and Royal to celebrate Pacific Grove. Enjoy food from local businesses, entertainment from local performers, and watch the Pageant on the pier, which concludes with a burst of fireworks over the Cove. Feast Day is FREE to the public!
Feast Day Schedule of Events:
Feast of Foods, 10:00am-9:00pm
Children’s Activities, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Yoga with the Royal Court & Guard, 11:15am-12:30pm
Kaye Coleman, CYT will be teaching the yoga class and please bring your own yoga mat!
Flag Ceremony and live entertainment begins at 12:30pm. MC: Dave Eaton
Sponsors Walk, Former Royalty introductions and and Pageant begins at 8:00pm
Legend of the Blue Willow Narrated by Roger Powers
Fireworks Sponsor: JR Rouse and Jan Pratt
Pageant Sponsor: Wells Fargo Bank
Closing Ceremony
Sunday, July 30, 2017 – 2:00 3:00 pm
Chautauqua Hall on 16th Street at Central Avenue
Join the 2017 Feast of Lanterns Royal Court and Royal Guard for the closing ceremony. The event will feature the Hootenanny Folk Song Group of Pacific Grove. There will be ice cream treats served at the end of the event. Courtesy of the First United Methodist Church. This event is FREE to the public.
Presenting Sponsor: Maureen Mason
For the full schedule of events or more information on the Opening Ceremonies, visit the Feast of Lanterns website, www.feast-of-lanterns.org, or call the Feast of Lanterns at 831-800-1905.
The Feast of Lanterns is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, with an all volunteer Board of Directors. The proceeds of this fundraise and the festival each year, minus operating expenses, fund an academic scholarship program for the Royal Court and Royal Guard, who are eight community spirited, active high school students.
