Whilst the Caravan Club have a “National” Rally The Camping & Caravan Club have a Feast of Lanterns.

The Feast of Lanterns is a massive rally that has a different theme every year and is hosted by a different D.A. every year and as the name suggests there are lanterns. In fact a bit more than lanterns. The campers decorate their awnings, caravans, cars and themselves. This years theme at the FOL was SyFy so the Lancs & Cheshire crew who also hosted this year chose “Men In Black” and promptly dressed themselves in fancy dress and decorated their units to match. There is a parade where all the D.A’s parade and prizes are awarded for best, window, awning, fancy dress etc…..

Well most D.A’s have their own Feast Of Lanterns. This years Lancs & Cheshire D.A. FOL was held at Dale Hey Farm Touring Park. Our review of the park is here.

While D.A. camping is not for everybody, it cannot be denied that it is a social event. True, it can be basic with little or no facilities but it is cheap and it is a laugh.

So we attended our first D.A. Feast Of Lanterns the theme was “Inside The Toy Box”

We decided not to enter or “Light Up” as it’s know but that’s the beauty of D.A. camping. Join in or not there is no pressure to do anything…. it’s very free and easy.

There was a social gathering in the hall on Friday evening. On Saturday at 10:30 the D.A. provided all materials to make your lantern kids were encouraged to bring an adult and the adults were encouraged to make their own lantern.

At 14:30 the hall was opened again to decorate the lanterns. 19:30 was lighting up time 20:00 the lanterns paraded around the lit up units when you got to see all of the displays. Everyone had been issued a voting slip to vote for your favourite display. 20:30 was time for quiz and games in the hall. Our table came 2nd in the quiz not bad. The night ended with a bit of a party.

The Sunday morning was packing up and coffee morning in the hall when the prizes and raffle were handed out.

If you have never tried a club rally it’s worth a go. We have always found everyone very friendly and had a lot of fun.