Although hampered by wind and light sprinkles, lanterns dotted the surface of Lake LaVerne Thursday night as part of Iowa State’s Asian-American Heritage Celebration.

Asian Pacific American Awareness Coalition members made Thai lanterns for attendees to set off on Lake LaVerne. All the lanterns, which would drift through the night, were unique as they hugged the northern edge of the lake.

The nearly 50 people who attended the event released brightly colored lanterns on the lake. Although every lantern was different, each housed a tall, slender yellow candle and three sticks of incense.

“It is a floating offering made of banana leaves to form a cup-like receptacle in the shape of a lotus flower,” said Arada Rongkavilit, APAAC member.

In Asian countries, setting off lanterns on the water is an annual celebration in November that dates back 700 years. The event is called Loy Krathong, which literally means “floating receptacle.”

Floating a lantern is a way “to ask for forgiveness for polluting the waters all year,” said Rongkavilit, senior in pre-med.

For Kim Hannum, senior in animal science, the lanterns brought back memories.

“The scent of the incense reminded me of my summer in China. It is like the incense they burn in the temples,” she said.

Director of Minority Student Affairs Rafael Rodriguez said he was pleased with how the event turned out.

“It provided an opportunity to catch a glimpse of another tradition,” he said.