Martinmas Festival | Lantern Walk

Participating Classes
Acorn, Willow, Aspen, Cottonwood and Grades 1-4

Location:
River School Farm
7777 White Fir St. Reno, NV 89523

One of the most endearing traditions of Waldorf schools around the world is the celebration of Martinmas with an evening Lantern Walk. This year we will gather at a magical permaculture farm nestled within a curve of the Truckee River. We will first be treated to a pageant of the story of St. Martin performed by our lower grades students. There will be some time for warm drinks and socializing before we begin our Lantern Walk. The walk will begin with a story as we create a mood that is joyful, yet reverent. As we walk our lanterns will cast golden light upon darkened paths- guiding our individual way, but also lighting the path for others, and creating a visible trail of our journey.

To prepare for this experience, we will make handmade lanterns in class and we will sing our lantern songs. Parents are asked to walk with their children and to preserve the mood of the evening, by joining in the singing and encouraging the children to be reverent and calm. We hope to give ourselves and the community the gift of this experience. As we come to the end of the Lantern Walk, families are asked to quietly depart maintaining the mood of the evening.

Martinmas & Lantern Walk Songbook