A Water Lantern Celebration is planned on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Plattwood Park, 230 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, featuring hundreds of hand-decorated water lanterns, local musicians, a campfire on the beach, and a cookout including hot dogs, vegetarian or beef chili, fruit, hot apple cider, and cookies.

The Water Lantern Celebration, being offered by A Little Compassion, Inc. (ALC), is a community event celebrating the lives of individuals of all abilities. Participants will receive a floating water lantern to decorate and personalize with greetings, inspiring quotes, and memories intended to lift up and honor those in our communities who live with and overcome challenges due to disabilities.

Musical entertainment will feature Acoustic Soup, a Connecticut-based acoustic music duo made up of Al Raebuck and Steve Blanchard covering artists such as Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, and more; Brad and Brian, singing multi-instrumentalists whose performances feature extensive vocal harmonies, keyboard, two guitars, saxophone, trumpet, and a little harmonica; and a set by Valley Regional High School young adults including Catherine and Sophia Malli, and Grace Cuccia.

The event is a fundraiser for ALC, a non-profit organization with a mission to change the lives of young adults with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities by creating employment and social opportunities that nurture their unique skills, strengths, and preferences. Employment and social opportunities are available at ALC’s flagship program, The Nest Coffee House. The Nest opened in May on Main Street in Deep River and provides a welcoming, safe, and purposeful space for everyone to enjoy.

More information is available at thenestcoffeehouse.org/water-lantern-celebration.