PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Franklin Square, at the eastern edge of Chinatown, is known for its iconic water fountain, its mini golf course, the carousel and as a place to relax from the pressures of the day. This summer, all that has been invaded by dragons, giant pandas, sea creatures and more with the return of the Chinese Lantern Festival.
It has been absent from the park since the start of the pandemic, but like a lot of other things, it is coming back to the city.
Amy Needle, with Historic Philadelphia, says they have also made some big changes to what visitors will see.
“They will be able to see over 30 lanterns all aglow throughout the square. The square is 7 acres. It really is amazing to see all of these gorgeous works of art illuminated throughout the square,” Needle said.
The lanterns are not only gorgeous, they are enormous. The dragon is described as “three school buses long.”
Visitors who come to walk among the beautiful lanterns can watch staged performances three times every evening.
“In addition to that,” Needle said, “we will have fountain shows, we’ll dance to a new song inspired by the Lantern Festival. There's amazing food. There's the dragon beer garden.”
The lanterns were created in China, near where the festival originated, according to Lu Liang, who works with the group charged with setting up the exhibit.
“It’s a communication between two different cultures,” Liang said. “We feel very proud of that. We want to share the Chinese culture.”
Franklin Square is still free for people to come and visit through 5 p.m. each day, but at 6 p.m., there is a charge to enter, and people can watch those lanterns come to life.
The festival is slated to run from June 21 through Aug. 7.