Amazing!

Friend Nancy mentioned that she had heard about the Chinese Lantern Festival at the State Fair of Texas, and it was suppose to be really good – so she heard.  But we had no idea what to expect, as we walked through this gate.

This magnificent gate was our entry into another world.  Inside we would find a multitude of  “lanterns” made from steel and handmade silk. (The gate is even made of steel and silk.)

Aren’t the playful pandas cute.  About a month before the fair, shop was set up in the parking lot of Fair Park, and the Chinese got to work making “lanterns”.  Almost all of the “lanterns” were constructed here in Dallas, Texas.

Chinese legend tells that this type of peach bears fruit only once in every 3,000 years.  If you eat the fruit of this peach tree, you will live a very long time.  There were 800 peaches.  Wow!

Three hundred and fifty red lanterns were hung to wish us luck, happiness, and joy.

The Peking Opera is a type of theater that uses speech, song, dance, and combat forms.  Remember, all of this is made of steel and silk.  The colors are so bold, bright, and beautiful.  .

Sweet Mother of Pearl.  You have got to see this to believe it.  It is a dragon made of 15,000 pieces of china – plates, bowls, cups, and spoons.  This too was all done by hand.  It is 110 feet long.  Honestly, it is beyond amazing.

In Chinese folklore, Qilins are good mythical creatures.  Here they are presenting a giant pearl representing a blessing.  All I know is – these Qilin were so colorful.  I loved them!

Lotus blossoms,lily pads, and frogs were floating in the lagoon.  I am sure the lagoon has never looked this purty.  The lotus blossoms had to be installed by the use of helicopters.

Be still my heart!  The largest “lantern” in the exhibit is the Chamber of the Fairies, and it is magnificent.  It is fifty feet high and represents the home of the fairies that live close to heaven where they can observe the world and bring happiness and peace.  There is so much detail in this “lantern”.  How do they do this?

Thirty flamingo “lanterns” are wading in the water.  Beautiful!  Wouldn’t these look good at Casa Flamingo?

Love, love, love these.  See the bluebonnets?  They made them especially for the State Fair of Texas.  Wasn’t that a thoughtful thing for them to do, and all of this is so vibrant and gorgeous.

Mushrooms and birds are wonderful.

And then there is even the “lantern” of the Statue of Liberty.

The ants were cute and playful.  A guide at the end of the tour told us that everything was constructed  here except the ants and the butterflies.  The ants and butterflies were made in China.  It was a joy to see these “lanterns”.  They truly are a unique art form.

If you get a chance, do visit the Chinese Lantern Festival.  It was maybe my favorite thing I saw at the State Fair of Texas.  It cost $5.00  during the day, but at night it cost $14.00.  I would love to see the lanterns at night when everything is illuminated.  I can only imagine how beautiful they would be.

Blessings to you and yours,