“I miss you, Mom and Dad.” 

“You are beautiful. Love yourself.”

“Will I get an engagement ring or…?”

These are just some of the messages attendees wrote on their water lanterns before taking a moment to reflect and then placing them into Coe Lake in Berea at the Cleveland Water Lantern Festival Saturday, Aug. 24. 

Water lanterns are an ancient tradition in Asian cultures, used for centuries to worship gods, ward off disaster, and guide the souls of the deceased in the afterlife. In modern times, many Western cultures have adopted the water lantern ritual for healing and reflection. 

A ticket to the Water Lantern Festival came with a bag of goodies that included socialization tools such as a person-finding scavenger hunt and a deck of “conversation cards” as well as the kit to design and build your own water lantern.
A ticket to the Cleveland Water Lantern Festival came with a bag of goodies that included socialization tools such as a person-finding scavenger hunt and a deck of “conversation cards” as well as the kit to design and build your own water lantern. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Vendors selling their wares at the Water Lantern Festival included Charlena Robertson and her handmade soaps.
Vendors selling their wares at the Water Lantern Festival included Charlena Robertson and her handmade soaps. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Tonya Burton (left) and Kristen Doty (right) with their completed lanterns. Doty said her lantern has all Avengers-related designs because she’s “kind of on the nerdy side.” Burton wrote a message on hers to Husney Landscaping, where she worked for 17 years, thanking them for supporting her through difficult times, saying they “went above and beyond” for her.
Tonya Burton (left) and Kristen Doty (right) with their completed lanterns. Doty said her lantern has all Avengers-related designs because she’s “kind of on the nerdy side.” Burton wrote a message on hers to Husney Landscaping, where she worked for 17 years, thanking them for supporting her through difficult times, saying they “went above and beyond” for her. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Susan Friedell, Katherine Friedell and Yan Maschke (left to right) at the Water Lantern Festival. Katherine Friedell said she designed her lantern writing based on her hopes for the future of women’s reproductive rights. Maschke wrote a message to her husband, saying she wants them to “grow old gracefully together.”
Susan Friedell, Katherine Friedell and Yan Maschke (left to right) at the Water Lantern Festival. Katherine Friedell said she designed her lantern writing based on her hopes for the future of women’s reproductive rights. Maschke wrote a message to her husband, saying she wants them to “grow old gracefully together.” Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Rina Smith (center), of Cleveland, wrote notes on her lantern she called “just little updates” to deceased family and friends, “things I’ve done since they’ve been gone.” Linda Smith (left) and Araya Robinson (right) also wrote to deceased relatives and pets.
Rina Smith (center), of Cleveland, wrote notes on her lantern she called “just little updates” to deceased family and friends, “things I’ve done since they’ve been gone.” Linda Smith (left) and Araya Robinson (right) also wrote to deceased relatives and pets. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Aug. 24 is also Jennifer Robinson’s birthday. The Brook Park native, seen here lighting her lantern, said she invited all her friends who had also lost a parent to join her for the event at Coe Lake, adding that it held special meaning for her: “Mom and Dad loved this place. My dad used to love coming to fish here. I have a lot of memories here.”
Aug. 24 is also Jennifer Robinson’s birthday. The Brook Park native, seen here lighting her lantern, said she invited all her friends who had also lost a parent to join her for the event at Coe Lake, adding that it held special meaning for her: “Mom and Dad loved this place. My dad used to love coming to fish here. I have a lot of memories here.” Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Attendees at the Water Lantern Festival start lighting up their lanterns as the sky darkens.
Attendees at the Water Lantern Festival start lighting up their lanterns as the sky darkens. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Guest speakers addressed the crowd, sharing their personal stories of loss, healing and triumph. Some talked about being in recovery from trauma or substance abuse. Others said they attended as part of a spiritual journey or to celebrate recent accomplishments.
Guest speakers addressed the crowd, sharing their personal stories of loss, healing and triumph. Some talked about being in recovery from trauma or substance abuse. Others said they attended as part of a spiritual journey or to celebrate recent accomplishments. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Here’s my lantern. One side was a note to my parents, on the other is a not-so-great drawing of Earth and a reminder of something I’m proud of.
Here’s my lantern. One side was a note to my parents, on the other is a not-so-great drawing of Earth and a reminder of something I’m proud of. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Josh, at the festival with his girlfriend, Delaney, both from Akron, wrote a message to her on his lantern.
Josh, at the festival with his girlfriend, Delaney, both from Akron, wrote a message to her on his lantern. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Lanterns designed by attendees in support of Palestine float out onto the water.
Lanterns designed by attendees in support of Palestine float out onto the water. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Just a few of the hundreds of lanterns floated onto Coe Lake.
Just a few of the hundreds of lanterns floated onto Coe Lake. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Attendees watch the sea of lanterns float out into Coe Lake.
Attendees watch the sea of lanterns float out into Coe Lake. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Jad Oglesby (left) and Meha Srivastava (right), both students in Cleveland, used their lanterns as tools for reflection. Oglesby said he reflected on his summer and moving into the future. Srivastava drew images on her lantern to reflect her thoughts on the state of the world.
Jad Oglesby (left) and Meha Srivastava (right), both students in Cleveland, used their lanterns as tools for reflection. Oglesby said he reflected on his summer and moving into the future. Srivastava drew images on her lantern to reflect her thoughts on the state of the world. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Attendees look on through the darkness as the water lanterns float out onto Coe Lake.
Attendees look on through the darkness as the water lanterns float out onto Coe Lake. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
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I create audio stories meant to engage and inform people in a way that pushes beyond media stereotypes. I aim to build trust between local media and the community, striving to teach people “how” to think about life in Cleveland, not “what” to think.