Featured Cultures at Lanterns 2023
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CHINA
Sponsored by the Arkansas
Chinese-American Association (ACAA)
Located in the Pavilion garden and
the Cabe Theatre North Lobby (map)
Immerse yourself in one of the world's oldest cultures when you visit our China vista! Enjoy martial arts demonstrations and dragon dancing each evening.
Local artists will also be on hand to share examples of Chinese orthography, fan painting, and origami, some of which will be available for purchase!
Food: Sesame chicken, beef broccoli, chicken lo mein, egg rolls, and fried dumplings (see full menu)
Drinks: Tsingtao beer, sake, soft drinks, and water
LAS VEGAS
Sponsored by Arkansas Circus Arts
Stage show in the theatre auditorium
Charity casino and bar in the south lobby (map)
Catch a free Las Vegas-style stage show inside our theater auditorium, featuring singers, dancers, magicians, circus artists, and more! The show is performed three times nightly at 7, 8, and 9 pm. You're welcome to stay for part or all of the performance -- no WildBucks required!
If you enjoy the thrill of games of chance, you'll also love our charity casino area! Try your luck at roulette, blackjack, or the craps table for a chance to win door prizes that will be given away every evening -- or for a chance at the festival's grand prize, a trip for 2 to Las Vegas, Nevada! (The casino requires WildBucks.)
Drinks: Fully stocked bar with all your favorite adult beverages, plus soft drinks and water. (see full menu)
UKRAINE
Sponsored by Cadence Insurance
Located on the concrete pad west of
Swan Lake, just past the theatre building (map)
Get a glimpse of the stunning architecture and beautiful folk traditions of Ukraine at Lanterns 2023. Take photos in front of our colorful mural of St. Vlodomyr's Cathedral, one of the most striking landmarks of Kyiv. Enjoy traditional Ukrainian dance performances at 6:45, 7:45, and 8:45 each evening!
Food: Kovbasa (kielbasa) with kwasna kapusta and morkva (kraut and carrot condiments), varenyky (pierogi), and nalysnyky (sweet cheese crepes)
Drinks: Ukrainian flag cocktails and shots, made with layers of blue curacao, pineapple juice, and horilka (vodka); soft drinks, and water
A portion of proceeds from this vista will be donated to medical aid for refugees from the war in Ukraine.
JAMAICA
Sponsored by Legacy Wine and Spirits
Located on the Green on the north side
of Swan Lake, by the lakeside pathway (map)
Yah mon! Travel to a tropical paradise for a Jamaican beach party! Get ready to relax around the fire pit with some reggae music and rum punch -- or challenge yourself in our limbo competition! How low can you go?
Food: Jerk chicken, rice and beans, pineapple upside down cake (see full menu)
Drinks: Rum punch, rum shots, Red Stripe beer, soft drinks, and water
SCOTLAND
Sponsored by Amy Glover Bryant, REALTOR
Coldwell Banker RPM Group
Located at the Butler Gazebo on the south shore of Swan Lake (map)
Follow the sound of the bagpipe to the far south shore of Swan Lake to find Edinburgh Castle amidst the highlands of our Scotland vista.
You can purchase a lantern to light for 3 WildBucks and then set it afloat on Swan Lake with a wish for good fortune. You might even spot the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, swimming just off shore!
Food: Turkey legs, roasted potatoes, shortbread cookies with chocolate fondue (see full menu)
Drinks: Rusty Nail cocktails, Drambuie, Scotch, Tennants or Innis & Gunn beer, Irn Bru soda pop, soft drinks, and water
Enjoy the refinement of French cafes and patisseries when you visit our French vista! Take a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower and learn a few creative French phrases you can use to impress your friends and neighbors! Cap off your evening with a flute of champagne and enjoy the sparkling lights around the arboretum. Ooh la la!
Food: Steak frites with potato frites (French fries), French pastries and/or creme brulee (see full menu)
Drinks: Kir Royale cocktail, champagne, red wine, creme de cassis shots, Kronenbourg 1664 beer, soft drinks, and water
THE FAIRYTALE FOREST
Sponsored by Second Presbyterian Preschool
Located in the woods between the north side of Swan Lake (Jamaica) and the Gazebo (Scotland) (map)
Our new Fairytale Forest is a magical area of the woods especially for kids! Look for the Fairy Godmother, who will send you on a hunt for colorful toadstools scattered throughout the festival -- win prizes if you find them all! Enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts, face painting, and a test of strength for young knights!
You may even get to meet and take photos in person with some of your favorite fairytale characters!
Food: Chicken strips, mac-and-cheese cups, funnel cakes, and ice cream (see full menu)
Drinks: Witches' Brew cocktail, gin and creme de violette shots, domestic beers, soft drinks, and water