A Lantern Trail and Online Fair replace the traditional Mill Road Winter Fair
This year, a sparkling celebration of Mill Road will unfold throughout December. The Mill Road Lantern Trail is organised by the Mill Road Winter Fair Association and is the first project funded by Love Mill Road. We are thrilled that it captures everything that is so special about the Mill Road neighbourhood – its diversity, independence, community spirit and local pride. It is also fitting that our first funded project supports Mill Road’s flagship community street fair, marking the start of a close working relationship between Love Mill Road and the Mill Road Winter Fair.
The Mill Road Lantern Trail encourages everyone to explore Cambridge’s most diverse, vibrant and independent shopping street. Ten beautifully crafted community lanterns, inspired by ideas and images gathered from residents in the streets off Mill Road, will be displayed in the windows of ten shops and cafés along the road. The lanterns, created by local illustrator, designer and artist Penny Sobr, will be illuminated over 15 days from Saturday 5th December, the day when the Mill Road Winter Fair would have taken place. Further lanterns for other streets and shops are planned for next year, which will all be brought together within community lantern parades at future Winter Fairs.
Each lantern provides a unique snapshot of a road, through the eyes of its residents. The lantern designs are also influenced by the character of the shops that are hosting them and so provide a wonderful celebration of the inter-connections between local residents and shopkeepers in Mill Road. You can explore the set of lantern designs at https://www.millroadwinterfair.org/mill-road-lanterns/