CLEVELAND, Ohio — Now in its eighth year, the Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has returned with a completely reimagined experience, drawing crowds to its dragon-themed spectacle that showcases over 1,000 illuminated lanterns powered by approximately 20,000 lights. The festival runs through August 24 and continues to be one of Northeast Ohio’s most anticipated summer traditions.
“Every year we do a completely different lantern display. That’s one of the things that we’re happiest about because every year we get new experiences and new lanterns; so if you’ve been here before it’ll be completely different this year,” said Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
A collaboration between Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., the festival features new additions such as Dragons Landing, an installation showcasing a dozen dragon lanterns including a 100-foot-long ‘ice and fire’ dragon powered by animatronic technology. Other highlights include a four-story-tall hydrangea and butterfly tree, walk-through tunnels, and uniquely themed areas like Animals of the Nile, presented by CrossCountry Mortgage.
“We went with a heavy dragon theme this year, obviously dragons are a big part of Asian culture,” Kuhar said…