Despite objections from activists, residents, and local officials, the controversial Lantern Fest will still take place later this month at the Kalamazoo Speedway.
The festival, which involves releasing approximately 2,000 "sky lanterns", has raised concerns in Alamo Township. The lanterns are similar to small hot air balloons and use an open flame to rise and float through the air.
At a township meeting Monday night, Alamo officials said they were concerned about potential litter and property damage from the sky lanterns. Others also worried about nearby cell towers, after several lanterns from a Lantern Fest event in May caused up to $500,000 in damages to a tower in North Carolina.
However, without a ban from the state or township, officials said they don’t have legal standing to stop the festival.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan, and I’m not sitting here telling you I want to do this, I want this to happen," said Alamo Township Fire Department Chief Terry Kizer. "What I’m telling you is we can’t stop it at this point. We don’t have the legal behind us to do it."
Festival organizers, meanwhile say the concerns are largely unwarranted. Lantern Fest Director Spencer Humiston said the lanterns will only burn for up to four minutes, and volunteers will be on hand to clean them up. He also said the festival has insurance to cover potential accidents.
“I don’t really like the idea that just because it’s not illegal, we can do it," Humiston said. "I think it’s a beautiful event. I think it’s actually good for the community. And I think if you went and called every city that we had them at, they’d be more than happy to welcome us back.”
Michigan State Rep. Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) introduced a bill earlier this month to ban sky lanterns.
Six more Lantern Fest events are scheduled across the country by the end of the year. Kalamazoo's Lantern Fest will take place at the Kalamazoo Speedway on September 26th.