BajaNomad

Border Week: Launching of lanterns to light up Baja California coast - A look at notable events through Nov. 4

Gypsy Jan - 10-29-2012 at 04:23 PM

From The San Diego Union Tribune

By Sandra Dibble

"Baja California residents practice launching of paper lanterns in preparation for Saturday's mob art event along 25-mile stretch of the state's Pacific coastline. - Shine on Baja

Members of the U.S. expatriate community are spearheading an effort to "shine a positive light" on Baja California's Pacific coast by launching hundreds of paper lanterns starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Debbie Shine, an interior designer and a 17-year resident of Rosarito Beach, conceived the idea of Shine on Baja. She is working closely on the mob art project with Robin Mackenzie, owner of a San Diego video production company and a part-time resident of Tijuana's Campo Castillo.

"It's just for a real love of where you live," said Shine.

Launch parties are being planned from San Antonio del Mar to Bajamar at private homes as well as some hotels restaurants, including the Rosarito Beach Hotel, Castillos del Mar, Plan B, Splash and Javi's Paradise. A post-launch party at Castillos del Mar will include special wish lantern c-cktails, a farmers market, wine tastings and live music.

The lanterns, four feet tall and fueled by hot air, can be purchased at wishlantern.com and at the hotels and restaurants.

"This idea initially was art for the sake of art," Mackenzie said. Though there are no private sponsors, the effort does aim to give a boost to coastal corridor that has suffered in recent years from a dramatic drop in U.S. visitors.

Shine hopes some 2,000 lanterns will be launched. The lanterns should remain airborne for eight to 12 minutes, she said, but with staggered launches, she intends to keep a thread of light along the coast for about 30 minutes.

Other events in the cross-border region include:

Sunday (Oct. 28): Residents of Ensenada will hold a plebiscite to decide whether San Quintin should split off into a separate municipality.

Thursday: Mexico will formally open the 22-lane El Chaparral border crossing to process southbound passenger vehicles at San Ysidro.

Friday, Saturday and Nov. 4: The San Felipe Shrimp Festival will include cook-offs by prominent Baja California chefs, art exhibits, and concerts.

Friday, Saturday, and Nov. 4: Expo Organica Tijuana features fruits and vegetables, jams, ice cream, massages with organic oil, workshops on composting and gardening and more. In Plaza Revolucion, located just off Avenida Revolucion between Third and Fourth Streets.

Saturday: In honor of Mexico's days of the dead, celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, Turista Libre is leading a visit to Tijuana's oldest cemetery, Puerta Blanca, and the shrine of the unofficial folk saint, Juan Soldado has a shrine. $35. For information, click here."

mtgoat666 - 10-29-2012 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Shine hopes some 2,000 lanterns will be launched. The lanterns should remain airborne for eight to 12 minutes, she said, but with staggered launches, she intends to keep a thread of light along the coast for about 30 minutes.


...the 30 minutes of light will be followed by 30 hours of brush fire! :lol::lol:

Terry28 - 10-29-2012 at 04:51 PM

I was just gong to say that.....not too smart considering a westerly breeze and dry hills.....