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A March for unity: ‘Brighter Together’ in photos

Community members crafted lanterns and came together for a parade that organizers believe will foster connection.

Polly Vanasse of Acton holds an illuminated sun, the work of Acton artist Deb Richardson.
Polly Vanasse of Acton holds an illuminated sun, the work of Acton artist Deb Richardson. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

March offers no federal holidays and few incentives to get out, but Art for All and the Acton Scout House provided an antidote last Saturday night with the inaugural Acton Lantern Parade. Concordians mustered at Alcott Elementary School and carried handmade illuminated paper lanterns down Stow, Everett, and Walden Streets to the Scout House.

The “Brighter Together” project invited community members to craft lanterns at home or at workshops held in January and February and then to come together for a parade that organizers believe will spark hope and foster community connections. “Tonight we are sending out rays of light,” Margot Kimball, Art for All founder and director, told a packed audience at the Scout House, where the parade culminated in a party.

Text and photos: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

Concordians step off from Alcott Elementary School. Photos: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
The parade steps off from Alcott Elementary School.
Children push a shopping cart lantern, sponsored by Debra’s Natural Gourmet and the work of several Art for All artists, through Acton Center.
Children push a shopping cart lantern, sponsored by Debra’s Natural Gourmet and the work of several Art for All artists, through Acton Center.
The parade marches down Stow Street in Acton Center.
The parade marches down Stow Street in Acton Center.
Paradegoers carry aloft an illuminated whale lantern created by Acton artist CC King of the Musketaquid Arts & Environment program.
Paradegoers carry aloft an illuminated whale lantern created by Acton artist CC King of the Musketaquid Arts & Environment program.
Polly Vanasse of Acton carries an illuminated sun lantern, the work of Acton artist Deb Richardson, as the parade files into the Scout House.
Polly Vanasse of Acton carries the illuminated sun lantern as the parade files into the Scout House.
Lantern-bearing Concordians file into the Scout House.
Lantern-bearing Concordians file into the Scout House.
A shopping cart lantern, a collaborative effort by several Arts for All artists and one of the highlights of the inaugural Acton Lantern Parade, is carried into the Scout House. Adam Stark of Debra’s Natural Gourmet led a team of children pushing the cart through Acton.
A shopping cart lantern, a collaborative effort by several Arts for All artists and one of the highlights of the inaugural Acton Lantern Parade, is carried into the Scout House. Adam Stark of Debra’s Natural Gourmet led a team of children pushing the cart through Acton.

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