VIENNA TWP., MI - Thousands of sky lanterns are set to be released as part of new event coming to a Flint-area race track this summer.

Lantern Fest is scheduled to take place Sept. 17 at Auto City Speedway, 10205 N. Saginaw Road. It is billed as an "opportunity for thousands of revelers to join together as a community and create an unforgettable spectacle of light."

Participants will all receive lanterns, which will be released in unison around sundown.

"Before sundown friends and families can enjoy food, live music, a stage show, familiar princesses, face painters, s'mores, balloon artists and more," the event's website claims. "Then, when the time is just right, we will light the sky with our highest hopes and fondest dreams."

Clio Area Fire Chief Kerry Paulson said organizers reached out to his department in advance of scheduling the event.

Local fire crews and organizers will be on hand to ensure no fires are sparked by the lantern release. Paulson said organizers will be billed for the cost of any fires that are started as part of the event.

He added that organizers will have staff on hand to clean up the lanterns following the event.

Organizers could not be reached for comment on the event.

The lanterns have drawn criticism across the state in recent years.

Sky lanterns are airborne rice paper commonly used in celebrations and memorials. The lantern's paper shell is stretched over a frame with a small fire source inside. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, causing it to rise into the air like a hot air balloon. Once the lantern reaches a certain height, the flame extinguishes and the bag drops to either the ground or whatever catches it.

Some communities have placed bans on the lanterns over concerns of fire and litter.

State Rep. Henry Yanez, D-Sterling Heights, introduced House Bill 4857 last year trying to ban the lanterns. The bill failed to be passed by the House.

"As a former Sterling Heights firefighter, I know that there is no safe way to use a sky lantern because you can't control where it lands, so it could land on someone's roof or in a tree and cause a fire," the lawmaker said in a statement.

A similar event was planned as part of an art project in Flint three years ago, but it was grounded due to windy conditions.