The 2017 Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 9 was a beautiful homage to art in Atlanta. The parade kicked off the eighth annual Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition, which brings dozens of installations to the Eastside and Westside Trails of the Atlanta BeltLine, along with two performance weekends in September and October.
The Lantern Parade, which was created by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, has brought a colorful sea of homemade lanterns to the Eastside Trail on the first Saturday after Labor Day over the last eight years. This year, the Parade was presented by Cox Enterprises, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, and Target. Additional support was provided by Ponce City Market.
On the evening of September 9, people from all walks of life lined up with their lanterns along Irwin Street at the Eastside Trail, and onto the trail’s newest extension south toward DeKalb Avenue. Five of Atlanta’s best marching bands accompanied the parade, along with the Atlanta’s own Rollergirls. The bands included: Black Sheep Ensemble, Common Ground Collective, Atlanta Freedom Band, Seed & Feed Marching Abominables, and Wasted Potential Brass Band.
The parade was led by the Captain of the Krewe herself, Chantelle Rytter, as well as Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s new President and CEO Brian McGowan. Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell also made remarks at the parade, as well as Judge Jane Morrison, spouse of the late Fulton County Comissioner Joan Garner. Commissioner Garner served on the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Board until her passing on April 18, 2017. The 2017 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is dedicated to her memory.
Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is presented by Ponce City Market, 10th & Monroe, and Northside Hospital. Additional support is provided by Cox Enterprises, MailChimp, AJC/Living Northside & Living Intown, Park Tavern, Sunbelt Rentals, Turner, Kroger, Flashpoint Artists Initiative and Inman Park Neighborhood Association.
Major support for this project is provided by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how the National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Art on the Atlanta BeltLine continues through mid-November with visual art and performances. Get more details on the exhibition at art.beltline.org.
