On May 14, the Lantern Fest will return to Spokane for a night to remember. Family and friends, young and old, will join together at Stateline Stadium and Speedway in a celebration of life, love and memories beneath a sky illuminated by floating lanterns.

“The Lantern Fest is a very unifying event,” says Lantern Fest event director Spencer Humiston. “Our problems and worries seem so individual, but they are shared by others in the community.”

Last year, more than 4,000 revelers gathered as lanterns filled the sky. This year, the festival starts at 3 p.m., with live music, s’mores, face painting, princesses, a stage show and more leading up to the spectacular lantern launch. After sunset, participants will come together to release their lanterns, painting the sky gold with their hopes and dreams.

Portions of the proceeds from each event are donated to Peak 7, a nonprofit organization that serves underprivileged and at-risk youth in Washington and Oregon.

Historically, Chinese Lanterns were used to symbolize good fortune, request favorable weather and celebrate the lives of loved ones. In 2014, the Lantern Fest transformed this ancient tradition into a family-friendly festival with food, music, s’mores and children’s entertainment. When the sun goes down, lanterns will paint the sky in a spectacular release. www.thelanternfest.com