A Glowing Night of Community and Remembrance: Thanks to everyone who made the 15th Annual Newburyport Lantern Festival a Beautiful Success.
Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness (GNOCA) extends heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of community members who joined us on Sunday, June 29th for our 15th Annual Lantern Festival at Bartlet Mall. Rescheduled from Saturday, the evening turned out to be absolutely beautiful, warm, clear, and filled with heartfelt moments, as over 500 lanterns were floated across the Frog Pond in remembrance, hope, and celebration.
The event was brought to life through music coordinated by Donna Ricci, featuring performances by Pam Hallock, Rob Hallock, Neil Hallock, Sharon Schoolcraft, Joe Kessler, and John Tavano, creating a peaceful and moving backdrop as participants decorated and released their lanterns.
A special highlight of the evening was a moving dance performance by the Fontaine Dubus ChoreoMotion class, featuring dancers Fontaine Dubus, Margaret Kopp, April McDonald, Maria Raskin, and Emily White, whose expressive movement added grace and emotion to the night.
Thanks to the more than 50 volunteers that made the evening possible—setting up tents and tables, assisting with lantern decoration, and supporting every aspect of the festival. We extend special thanks to: Keynote Speaker Kathleen Scanlan, the men of Link House, for their essential help with transport and setup, Musical Director Donna Ricci, Calligraphy Coordinator Sue Dosick, ASL Interpreter Mark Riley, Photographer Lani Shumway, Lola Wesley Marketing, Bartlet Mall Commission, City of Newburyport supporters: Mike Hennessy, Christine Jackson, and Renee Ward, The Salvation Army, Dingo Creative, and Dave Hill of Fusion Blue Productions.
We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors: Institution for Savings, Jonathan Lamson (in memory of his wife Cheryl), Bortz-Boyer Family Charitable Trust (in honor of Trudy Bortz), Kelly Mahoney Family Charitable Trust, Anna Jaques Hospital, Catherine Green, Paul Flaherty, Debra and Steven French in memory of Joanne Lindmark and the Massachusetts Cultural Councils of West Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, and Salisbury.
We invite the community and any interested volunteers to join us for the 15th Annual Jackie Poor/Paula Holm 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, September 28, at 10 am Michael’s Harborside, in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. We look forward to another meaningful gathering!
With gratitude,
Debra Green, Elaine Carroll,
Margaret Mahoney, and Maryellen Lawler – Greater Newburyport Ovarian
Cancer Awareness
