The movie Tangled is a Disney movie about Rapunzel . In the movie, she leaves her tower and goes on an adventure to see the “floating lights.” The Lantern Festival is very similar to the celebration of the Lost Princess’ birthday. Just like Tangled, the lanterns are a symbol of love. It is more than just throwing lanterns into the air; it’s dedicating and representing a loved one who has passed on, or people who are important to the ticketholder.

The Bonneville Sea Base held this year’s Lantern Fest in Salt Lake City on September 11-12. A man named Carl Nielsen gave brilliant insight from his previous experiences at The Lantern Fest. He spoke about how the atmosphere was filled with love. He specifically mentioned, “There were a lot of things about [The Lantern Festival] that I’ll always remember.”

The day before the festival, Carl’s mother passed away. “Going there the day after my mother passed gave me a whole different perspective for why I was there and what I would do while participating in the event.” He went on by saying, “That is what made it memorable, and that is why I’m going back this year.”

For thirty dollars you get two lanterns, a lighter, and a stick (to launch it). Carl explained how last year, there were fifteen thousand participants. He said, “It was amazing to see thousands of lanterns rising into the sky together. Thinking about my mom and everything she means to me, I watched them fill up the sky like thousands of stars. It was spectacular, like nothing you can experience at any other setting.”

He concluded his interview with, “All in all it was amazing. It’s not something I can fully explain in words. You’d have to experience it for yourself, and I’d definitely recommend people going.”