I gave a little background to the Candle Festival below. This marks the start of Buddhist Lent. During this period of 3 months some lay Buddhists give up something similar to Christian Lent. And, in response to another comment, I believe that the students are required to partake in the ceremonies at school just as they are required to do a Catholic prayer each morning. Now to the photographs. Remember these are all carved out of wax. There were probably 50 or so massive, truck size ones, and hundreds of pick-up truck size ones. The photographs were taken the night before the parade.