Floating Lantern Pet Memorial 2024
$25.00
Sunday September 8, 2024
Bloedel-Donovan Park / Bellingham, WA
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Join us at the edge of beautiful Lake Whatcom on the second Sunday in September (National Pet Memorial Day) for an evening of remembrance and gratitude for those special pets we have loved and lost.
Anyone may join us to watch the lanterns on the lake, but pet parents who wish to decorate and float a lantern in honor of one or more pets must reserve use of a lantern in advance.
If you cannot be present but would like to have a lantern floated for you, you may reserve an absentee lantern.
***In 2024 Radiant Heart will donate 100% of your lantern reservation fee to Happy Tails Happy Homes.***
***Commemorative T-Shirts Coming Soon!***
This is an eco-friendly event. LED lights are used to illuminate the lanterns. The lanterns are 100% re-usable. Nothing is left behind in the park or the water. Flowers and papers are composted or recycled.
Also, please do not bring your dog, or any other pet, to this event. This event is about honoring our departed companions, not the ones we are lucky enough to still have with us.
Important Dates:
Thursday 9/5/2024 – Last day to reserve a lantern
Tuesday 8/1/2024 thru Friday 9/6/2024 – Vellum papers available for pick up from Radiant Heart (801 W. Orchard Drive Ste. 3)
Friday 8/24/2024 – Last day to order commemorative t-shirt
(SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION.)
148 in stock
DECORATING YOUR PAPER
The lanterns consist of a floating base and a plexiglass cylinder top that fits snuggly onto the base. A 18" X 6" piece of transparent paper, decorated to honor one or more pets, rests on the inside edge of the plexiglass. LED candles are placed in the center (under the plexiglass).
Participants will decorate their papers in advance and bring them to the event. You may have your blank paper mailed to you, or you may pick it up at Radiant Heart's facility.
If you have photographs, you may email them to us, or bring them to Radiant Heart where we can print them on transparent paper for you. (Photo paper does not allow light to shine through, so standard photographs do not work well.)
The deadline for picking up your paper and/or having photos made into transparencies, is Wednesday September 7th.
DAY OF THE EVENT - HOW IT WORKS
Please arrive at the park sometime between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Participants are asked to select a time slot to avoid bottlenecks.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, and consider bringing a lawn chair, cushion or blanket. A headlamp or flashlight is also recommended.
Please do not bring your dog, or any other pet, to this event. This event is about honoring our departed companions, not the ones we are lucky enough to still have with us.
At the edge of the park and parking lot you will see signs directing you to the check-in station. Depending on State of WA requirements at the time, you may be asked a few COVID screening questions. You will then hand your pre-decorated lantern paper to a volunteer who will assemble the lantern. Once the lantern is assembled, you will be invited to walk along the path that is lighted by luminarias and flanked by hand-bell ringers. When you arrive at the beach, a volunteer will ask to check your lantern just to make sure the top is securely on the base. Then, whenever you are ready, you may then float your lantern in the lake. You are welcome to stay to watch the lanterns (we encourage you to do so!). Social distancing is recommended.
At approximately 8:15 PM, volunteers in kayaks will begin retrieving all lanterns from the lake.
The floating lanterns are made of reusable materials and are lit by LED lights. Every single lantern will be retrieved from the water right after the event and a crew will check again the following morning. Reusable parts will be cleaned and stored for future use.
The decorated sheets of paper will also be collected and flame cremated at a later date.
DISCLAIMER
All participants understand that Radiant Heart After-Care for Pets has no control over unforeseen events nor will be held responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any person or property that may occur as a result.
Thank you so much for your interest. We hope you can join us!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there an admission fee? No. Anyone who wants to attend and view the event is invited. However, if you want to decorate and float a lantern then there is a fee. 100% of the reservation fee is donated to a local pet-related charity.
May I honor more than one pet on a single lantern? Yes -- you may honor as many pets as you like on a single lantern.
May I bring my dog? Please do not bring your dog, or any other pet, to this event. This event is about honoring our departed companions, not the ones we are lucky enough to still have with us.
Will the event take place rain or shine? Any severe weather delays will be communicated via e-mail.
May I bring my own lantern to float? Out of concern for the safety of the participants and the environment, outside lanterns will not be allowed. Our lanterns had to be pre-approved due to Fire Department’s restrictions.
Do you use real candles? No. For the safety of the environment and all those involved, lanterns will be lit by amber-colored flickering LED lights that provide a visual effect similar to real candles.
What happens to the lanterns after the ceremony? Every single lantern will be retrieved from the water right after the event. Reusable parts will be cleaned and stored for future use. The paper sleeves will be respectfully collected and cremated.
Is Floating Lantern Pet Memorial Bellingham a non-profit organization? No. Radiant Heart After-Care for Pets is a for-profit venture that believes in giving back to the community. It is our privilege to sponsor this event and to donate all ticket sales to a local pet-related charity.