HERRIN, Ill. (KFVS) - An event aimed at shining a light on a serious cause is happening soon in southern Illinois.

The Lantern Festival is set for Saturday, August 16 at Herrin Park.

Starting at 6 p.m., organizers say there will be live music and food trucks leading up to an after-dark lantern release.

The event is a fundraiser for The Mosaic Initiative, a southern Illinois-based nonprofit working to fight sex trafficking and exploitation around the world.

Tickets are $30, which includes a lantern kit and informational handouts about the issue.

The Mosaic Initiative has funded recovery operations in Mumbai, India for the past two years.

Executive director and founder Haley Ottolini said that’s resulted in freedom for 64 women and young girls from trafficking, and the arrests of 28 tr

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