Parol Festival is taking shape
We are excited to announce our annual Parol (Lantern) Festival and Competition, scheduled for December 7, 2024, from 4:30 to 7:30pm, at the Napa Junction Community Center, 300 Napa Junction Road.
Parols are a Philippine Cultural Asset–beautifully crafted lanterns displayed during the Christmas season. Traditionally made from bamboo and colorful paper, it can also be made out of plastics or metals. They are illuminated with candles or (more safely) battery-powered lights. For more information, including history and construction/design, go to the Wikipedia article.
We are partnering with the FilAm Club of American Canyon to produce this event. Funding comes in part by a grant from Napa County Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. We are also working with Luchi Marte to host a number of workshops between now and the Festival, so novices can learn the ropes and enter the competition. More seasoned crafters can take advantage of the workshops to work on their Parol.
The workshops will generally be held in Room 5 of the Napa Junction Community Center. The schedule for those workshops are listed below. The public is invited to attend these free workshops. In addition, all the materials and supplies will be provided.
- October 5, at the Manilla Munchies event (Holy Family Catholic Church, 200 Antonina Ave. American Canyon)
- November 9, 10am – Noon
- November 23, 10am – Noon
- November 30, 10am – Noon
In addition to the Parols, we are also organizing a simple art display, the theme of which is “Christmas in the Philippines.” We are asking for any framed paintings or photography depicting the Philippines at Christmas. More info on that later!
You can enter the competition with this link. You can download the flyer here. For more information, email us at AmCanArts@gmail.com
Although the Napa County Grant will cover a great deal of the costs, we still need your help to provide for refreshments, promote the event and increase the amount of the awards that we can provide. You can provide a tax-deductible donation here.
