The GLOW Spring Lantern Parade on March 22nd this year celebrated the return of spring. It was a very busy night at CO*LAB. Excited voices echoed around the room. There were kids with their adults making lanterns in the shape of carrots. Many busy volunteers helped the kids, who were anxious to get going on the parade. Shima Robinson, Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, was in the room, readying herself to perform a poem about spring. 

There were many young families in attendance. I saw one of the greatest things that can happen at an arts event: kids, who had never met before, started playing together, and then the parents started talking to each other. I talked to two mothers who were attending the event. Nav Kaur said, “We are always looking at CO*LAB events, especially ones that are inviting kids. This was really well advertised and it seemed very friendly. The kids are getting along, so it tells you that this is a good comfortable environment for kids to be themselves. It’s nice to see the parents socializing.” 

Elizabeth Cromie, who recently moved to Edmonton and was there with her kids, said, “Community is so important when moving to another city. Being around like minded people, being around families that are out for the same reason - I think that’s important.”

Lorin Klask is one of the founders of Quarters Arts Society and the Artistic Director of CO*LAB.  “We have been underserved as a neighbourhood. CO*LAB is here because our neighbourhood needs accessible third spaces [public, social spaces apart from home or work]. It just happens to be around art because art gives us, like we see with this lantern parade, a way to come together. People of diverse backgrounds and different languages - we are all coming together to make this lantern and go for a walk in our neighbourhood to celebrate that winter is technically done in Edmonton,” Lorin said.

“I was reading up a bit about the event which introduces spring which I found cool. Here I see all the lights and the colours. Winter was a bit rough and I think it’s a good way to introduce the newness of spring.” said Elizabeth Cromie as the doors were opened and the attendees spilled out onto the sidewalk to start the lantern parade.

CO*LAB has become an important third place for our neighbours and a space for artistic creation that is needed in the Boyle Street community.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and Executive Director of the Heart of the City Festival.