With the New Year starts the countdown to this winter’s MasqueParade. The Snow King will be coming down from the valley after dusk on Saturday, February 19, which just so happens to be a night of a full moon. And this years theme? It’s a Marvelous Night for a Moondance , of course.
The Golden Star met up with Joyce deBoer last week, a balloon lantern making expert and one of the main organizers for the MasqueParade, to learn how to make this nifty craft. The Play House this year will be at the old 180 store location on 9th Ave. N. Lantern, masque and costume making workshops will start in the next few weeks.
Come out to a workshop or follow these simple steps to make your own balloon lantern at home:
1) Blow up a balloon and use masking tape to tape the bottom of the balloon to either a mug or an old yogurt container.
2) Mix any regular, white liquid glue with water until it reaches the consistency of coffee cream.
3) Rip up tissue paper into strips, or any size you want to put on your balloon. Using a paintbrush, spread the glue mixture on the balloon and smooth strips on top of glue. Paint a layer of glue over the tissue. Repeat until the whole balloon is covered in tissue paper.
4) With any colour of tissue paper and any pattern you want, cover the balloon with at least two more layers. It’s important to have at least three layer so the structure of the lantern keeps its shape when it dries.
5) Leave the project to dry overnight.
6) Cut off the bottom of the balloon. This will now be the top and opening of your lantern. You can make a handle for the lantern and carry it like a bucket, use a stick and hang the lantern from it or find another creative way of transporting it. Put a tea light at the bottom of the lantern and ta da —you are ready for the MasqueParade!
Joyce emphasized that there really is no right or wrong way to make these balloon lanterns. So go wild, you might be surprised with what your results.
