NEWSPhotos: China Lights returnsArlene Meier, Okauchee, takes a photo of a lantern tunnel during the China Lights lantern festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park on Wednesday. This year's festival theme is Panda-Mania and features more than 40 new lantern sculptures greeting visitors along a path extending three-fourths of a mile. After this weekend, the festival will be open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 5:30 to 10 p.m. until Oct. 21.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA family poses for a photo in front of a sculpture.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA giant Panda sculpture covered with thousands of pingpong balls is sitting outside the festival entrance.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPeople walk through one of the many lantern tunnels.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA lantern sculpture in the form of an infant gives the thumbs up.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA woman photographs one of the displays.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe moon is seen through a sculpture.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelVisitors walks past a floral display.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPeople walk past heart-shaped displays.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe moon shines through one of the displays.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelYuchen Qiu performs a martial arts and tai chi dance as part of the scheduled shows that take place.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPeople walk through one of the many illuminated tunnels as more than 40 new lantern sculptures greet visitors along a path extending three-fourths of a mile.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe festival will be open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 5:30 to 10 p.m. until Oct. 21.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe China Lights lantern festival.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPanda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage throughout the 9-acre gardens where several displays are animated.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPanda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelJohn Zaganczyk and his wife Leslie, of Franklin, walk through an illuminated tunnel.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe lone returning lantern display from last year is the popular 200-foot-long dragon.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelVisitors to the 2018 festival will walk inside a 65-foot-long shark sculpture.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelTraditional Chinese sculptures are illuminated.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelBrightly lighted heart-shaped flowers are along the path.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA mushroom forest highlights the path.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA large display is seen near the entrance.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPanda-shaped lantern sculptures lead to a tunnel.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelA display leads to the entrance into the festival.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe first display visitors to China Lights will see is a giant Panda sculpture covered with thousands of pingpong balls that is sitting outside the festival entrance.Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel