PEMBROKE Dock’s annual lantern parade has lit the town on a cold winter night after being saved by people power earlier this year.

The Lanterns in the Park parade took place on Friday, December 1, and the theme this year was woodland in winter and featured giant lanterns of woodland animals.

Samba Doc led the parade, starting from the youth centre at 6pm, and were followed by 600 people carrying more than 200 lanterns.

The parade then crossed the road into Memorial Park and marched around the peripheral pathways of the park, culminating at the park gates with the clock above on Bush Street.

Pembrokeshire Fire Spinners performed on the big grass area in the park, with pyro artist Lee Berridge setting his 18 foot structure of an owl in a tree alight which drew a huge gasp from the audience.

Fireworks donated by West Coast Fireworks lit up the structure which was a fantastic spectacle. 

To end the parade, Fusion Community Choir led a Christmas sing-a-long.

The town council offered free hot dogs and hot chocolate after the event.

Community activist Liz Cook, also treasurer of Pennar Hall, said Lanterns in the Park showed what the Dock can make possible when it pulls together.  

"Three weeks ago the parade was not happening but over 30 people from the local community got the job done free of charge. and by working together with the Festival Group and Town Council a fabulous event took place.  

"I've never seen the Pater Hall  and park so packed out, the atmosphere and community spirit was amazing.  

"As an informal group we will be working together in the New Year to organise the Midsummer and Winter festivals for the community.  

"A huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way we all did our town proud.

"We couldn't have done it with local businesses who also donated goods and time including B&M, Pembroke Dock Hire Centre, Rembrandt's Jewellers and Parfitt's Carpets."

The event is financed by the Pembroke Dock Festival Group, which was awarded money from the town council to deliver this year's parade. The committee is working closely with the town council staff to promote the event.

Sand Palace Arts provided the creative input by running lantern making workshops to the Pembroke Dock Girl Guides, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, Messy Church, and Pennar Art Club.

The parade has its own Facebook page, Lanterns in the Park.