The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at the NC Chinese Lantern Festival
in Cary, North Carolina
January 3 and 5, 2022 |
This festival only visits a
few spots around the country each year. Here in Cary, North Carolina,
it opened November 19, 2021 and ran through January 9, 2022. Tickets
started at $15. Parking was free. Hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns
of all shapes made for an incredible, colorful adventure for the two
RV Gypsies to walk through, photograph and enjoy. This year's festival
was handcrafted and assembled by more than 25 visiting Chinese artisans
and performers. Plus 2,500 lanterns and more than 15,000 LED lights
made ups 36 distinct displays. Many displays had movement. |
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On January 3, 2022, The two RV Gypsies drove 3 hours to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the NC Chinese Lantern Festival, only to find that they had an electrical shortage because the adjoining river overflowed. But they took a few daytime photos outside. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies peeked through the locked fence for a glimpse at the dragon. |
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Two days later,
The two RV Gypsies returned in the evening and were admitted into the
Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the event. It was a COLD night. |
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Below: The entry into the NC Chinese Lantern Festival was brightly lit. |
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Below: The inside entry way was lined with hundreds of Chinese Lanterns. |
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Below: Karen Duquette took a couple of close-up photos of the lanterns in the entry way. |
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Below: Dragons near the food court |
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Below: After passing
through the food court area, Karen Duquette could not resist swinging
on the unique. lighted, circular swing that changed colors. (Note: Adults
were not allowed on the swings when the two RV Gypsies returned here
in 2023) |
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Then Karen Duquette jumped around on some funky stars before entering the tunnel shown above by the swings and also shown below. |
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Below: Then the two RV Gypsies walked through the tunnel that changed colors. But a lot of people were in the tunnel, so they did not get to take many photos. |
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Then they came to a mirrored kaleidoscope cave with flashing, changing colors. There was a lot of people wanting to get inside this small area to take their own photos, so since the two RV Gypsies always try to be polite, they did not stay in it very long and only took a few photos. |
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Below: Just outside of the tunnel, there was a bird and a panda under colorful trees |
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Next, came a robot that slowly lit up different parts of his body, and then he totally flashed. |
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Below One of Karen Duquette's favorite areas - The Beautiful Swans |
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Across from
the swans, Karen Duquette loved the Rhino and an adorable Leopard |
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Below: Flowers |
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Below: NC Chinese Lantern Festival's Chinese Zodiac Statues |
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Below: Karen Duquette and her Zodiac sign, the Dog |
Below: Lee Duquette and his Zodiac sign - the Rooster |
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Below: A highlight of the NC Chinese Lantern Festival - The Dragon (with water pouring out of its mouth). |
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Below: The dragon was close to the dock line, and people could not get real close to it, so it was impossible for the two RV Gypsies to get all of the upside-down reflection in the waters below the dragon. |
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The dragon is 200-feet long and 21-feet tall. It is the star of the show and an important cultural symbol in China. It weighs more than 18,000 pounds, is longer than three school buses and requires a crane with a 15-person crew to install the head. The jaw-dropping piece floats on Symphony Lake, and shows a reflection in the water. |
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