Orange County Tourism will host the 2019 Water Lantern Festival at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, N.Y., on Saturday, June 15 at 4:00 p.m., in partnership with I LOVE NY and Noble Fun Travel.
Traditional lantern festivals are celebrated on the fifteenth day in the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, marking the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Orange County’s free event will include cultural stage performances, fun games, and kid-friendly activities. Attendees can purchase Chinese lanterns to be released along the lake at sunset as well as Asian and American cuisine and refreshments throughout the evening.
“This inaugural event is one that the entire county can get excited about,” says Orange County Tourism Director Amanda Dana. “With family-friendly activities, breathtaking luminary sites, and the celebration of international cultures, it’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience for our residents and visitors.”
Visitors from China spend more than any other international travel group in New York State, according to market data. It is one of the fastest growing markets to the U.S. and is projected to be the state’s second largest overseas inbound market by 2020 behind only the United Kingdom.
Visitors from across the state, especially those traveling from the New York City metropolitan area, are expected to attend the upcoming festival.
New York State Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “In supporting the 2019 Water Lantern Festival, we invite domestic and international visitors alike to experience firsthand all there is to see and do in Orange County and the Hudson Valley. New York State is a destination where everyone can find what they love, and we hope travelers are inspired plan a return trip to explore all the region has to offer.”
Additional summer fairs and festivals can be found in the newly released 55-page 2019 Orange County Travel Guide. Also, in the guide, readers can discover a multitude of new and famous tourism destinations, as well as suggested itineraries and lodging. The new free guide is available for digital download or by request at www.orangetourism.org/travel-guide.
About Orange County Tourism
Orange County Tourism, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, and events can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. For a free copy of the Orange County Travel Guide, e-mail tourism@orangecountygov.com or call 845-615-3860.
