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First full moon party May 21 at LanierWorld
0512GO-FULL-MOON-PARTY
The Full Moon Party at Lanier Islands features live music as well as fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and balloon artists. The event happens on the Saturday nearest to a full moon, which occurs once a month. - photo by Courtesy of Lanier Islands

Full Moon Party at Lanier Islands’ LanierWorld
When: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Where: Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford
Cost: $20 per person plus $15 per car resort gate access fee
More info: www.lanierislands.com

Once a month, the moon aligns with the Earth and showcases its face in full and lights up the night.

Lanier Islands is taking advantage of this monthly occurrence, entertaining guests with a wide range of activities during its Full Moon Parties at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway.

The first party of the spring will be Saturday, May 21, at LanierWorld in Buford. The event will kickoff at 3 p.m. with a DJ, then it will be in full swing from 7-11 p.m. with a live band at Sunset Cove Cafe.

Planned for the Saturday closest to the full moon, the parties run from April through October.

The parties are “a fun reason to get out there and celebrate,” Lanier Islands marketing director Cindy Wahl.

“We started doing them a few years back,” she said. “There is a place down in the Keys in Florida that host a similar type of event, and that’s kind of where we drew inspiration from.”

The Fly Betty Band will perform live May 21 along with other various forms of entertainment.

“We have all sorts of live entertainment on the property, such as fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon artists and just a variety of different kinds of entertainers (who) walk through the crowd and perform,” Wahl said. “Then we usually have some sort of various beverage specials or food specials down at Sunset Cove Cafe as well.”

As a popular event, the party is expected to draw a crowd.

“We had our first one a few weeks ago and it was pretty packed,” Wahl said. “We get a lot of people who come out not just to the beach and Sunset Cove but on the docks as well. We get a lot boaters and people by car. It’s usually pretty busy.”

Although the parties usually draw more adults, the May 21 event is anticipated to attract families as it follows opening day of LanierWorld.

“We will probably have a bit more of a family crowd with the water park being open as well,” Wahl said. “There is definitely enough entertainment for all ages.”

Plus, the full moon parties are just a great way to kick off and celebrate the summer season, she said.

“You can cap off your evening from your day of fun at LanierWorld and stay and hangout with us and have fun down at Sunset Cove,” Wahl said.  You can enjoy the light of the full moon over the lake. It’s a very neat experience.”