the year the lights went out? Illuminares 2008 canceled :(

I just learned that The Public Dreams Society has cancelled Illuminares, the festival of light this year. The board is citing lack of financial resources as the cause. This is the first time in 20 years that they will have cancelled this very fun festival. I am very sad.

from their website,

"Illuminares – Evening Lantern Procession around Trout Lake will not be part of our 2008 season.

Illuminares has always been a FREE community celebration. As a
not-for-profit society, Public Dreams raises funds through donations,
memberships, grants and its social enterprise arm: Imaginate.
Unfortunately, support from community members, donors, granting bodies
and revenue generation from Imaginate, have not kept pace with the
costs of the annual event.

2008 would have been Illuminares’ 20th consecutive year at
Trout Lake. “It has been a challenging decision to make, as Illuminares
is very beloved community celebration. We share the sense of loss that
this news brings to the Trout Lake community and the 25,000 plus
Illuminares participants. However Public Dreams does not have the
financial resources to stage Illuminares responsibly from a public
safety and artistic point of view”, says Martina Lee, President of the
Board.

“We believe that by taking a break from delivering Illuminares this
year, we will have time to revitalize and renew the plans for
Illuminares in 2009 to celebrate bringing it into a new decade,”
explains acting Artistic Managing Director, Pamela McKeown. “We have a
deep interest in being vital and relevant to our communities.”

Founded in 1985, Public Dreams Society is a non-profit
organization that brings art and celebration to the community by
creating participatory events, traditions and rituals that promote
healthy neighbourhoods. Illuminares and Parade of the Lost Souls are
Public Dreams long-running events. In 1989 Public Dreams wanted to do a
project with fire and water. Together, a small group of artists and
musicians, and community members brought light, music and celebration
to the night; Illuminares - Evening Lantern Procession around Trout
Lake is the result. Over the years, community response has risen from
200 to over 25,000 participants. Illuminares has spawned similar
celebrations and festivals across the city, province and the country.

We welcome comments and questions. Please contact us at info@publicdreams.org."

*photo courtesy of flickr user Proggie