The parade involved more than 450 people including 300+ young people from 13 schools, 3 community groups, and 4 local bands, led by the Sea Cadets. The lanterns were created  by the young people with the support of artists Amy Nixon, Paul Smith, Emily Cooling, Eilidh Bryan, Simon Tipping, Amy Peck and Paul Batton. Using the theme 'Undiscovered Oxford' they made: giant astrolabes inspired by exhibits in the Museum of the History of Science; a ghost canoe from the underground canals in the city, King Alfred who came from nearby Wantage and a large white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.