NEWS

Photos: China Lights returns

Arlene 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.
Arlene 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 Sentinel
A family poses for a photo in front of a sculpture.
A family poses for a photo in front of a sculpture.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A giant Panda sculpture covered with thousands of pingpong balls is sitting outside the festival entrance.
A giant Panda sculpture covered with thousands of pingpong balls is sitting outside the festival entrance.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
People walk through one of the many lantern tunnels.
People walk through one of the many lantern tunnels.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A lantern sculpture in the form of an infant gives the thumbs up.
A lantern sculpture in the form of an infant gives the thumbs up.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A woman photographs one of the displays.
A woman photographs one of the displays.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The moon is seen through a sculpture.
The moon is seen through a sculpture.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Visitors walks past a floral display.
Visitors walks past a floral display.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.
A tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
People walk past heart-shaped displays.
People walk past heart-shaped displays.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The moon shines through one of the displays.
The moon shines through one of the displays.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Yuchen Qiu performs a martial arts and tai chi dance as part of the scheduled shows that take place.
Yuchen Qiu performs a martial arts and tai chi dance as part of the scheduled shows that take place.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
People 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.
People 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 Sentinel
The festival will be open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 5:30 to 10 p.m. until Oct. 21.
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 Sentinel
The China Lights lantern festival.
The China Lights lantern festival.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage throughout the 9-acre gardens where several displays are animated.
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage throughout the 9-acre gardens where several displays are animated.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage.
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures of all sizes take center stage.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
John Zaganczyk and his wife Leslie, of Franklin, walk through an illuminated tunnel.
John Zaganczyk and his wife Leslie, of Franklin, walk through an illuminated tunnel.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The lone returning lantern display from last year is the popular 200-foot-long dragon.
The lone returning lantern display from last year is the popular 200-foot-long dragon.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Visitors to the 2018 festival will walk inside a 65-foot-long shark sculpture.
Visitors to the 2018 festival will walk inside a 65-foot-long shark sculpture.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Traditional Chinese sculptures are illuminated.
Traditional Chinese sculptures are illuminated.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Brightly lighted heart-shaped flowers are along the path.
Brightly lighted heart-shaped flowers are along the path.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.
A tree is draped in illuminated lanterns.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A mushroom forest highlights the path.
A mushroom forest highlights the path.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A large display is seen near the entrance.
A large display is seen near the entrance.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures lead to a tunnel.
Panda-shaped lantern sculptures lead to a tunnel.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A display leads to the entrance into the festival.
A display leads to the entrance into the festival.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The 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.
The 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