Lighting the way

The weather was ideal, and for those who thought it too cold, a large bonfire greeted them where they could sit and be warmed.

The Crooked River Lighthouse glowed brightly on its 126th anniversary Saturday night, as did the many brightly colored and lesser-powered illuminations that made Lantern Fest a success.

Attendance was strong all night long, as volunteers parked cars everywhere they could find.  

A steady queue of visitors took in the many offerings of the evening, which featured live music by Irish musicians,
Killavil, performances by the Tallahassee Community College Dance Company,
ancient craft demonstrations, food and desserts and evening
climbs of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast.

 Many of the lanterns on display were hand-made by Crooked River curator Joan Matey and other gifted local artists.

Ken Horne demonstrated the weaving of rope from local plant fibers, as he sat in front of table from which hung mulberry bark, Spanish moss, agave sisal, yucca beargrass, and hickory and palm bark, and on the table deer tendon.  In earlier civilizations, these durable fibers could be used for everything from clothing and sleeping mats, to fishing nets and bow strings. 

Working with a coal forge, with tools they themselves fashioned. John Pfund and Chris Cauthen from the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association (FABA) out of Tallahassee, demonstrated blacksmithing.