Creativity, community, and jubilation charged the atmosphere as thousands of colorful, homemade lanterns illuminated the Eastside Trail for one of Atlanta’s most anticipated events of the year: the Art on the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade.
Celebrating its 10th year, the BeltLine Lantern Parade attracted more than 70,000 spectators and participants on September 21, 2019. The Old Fourth Ward Fall Fest provided a fabulous afternoon of neighborhood events and fun before segueing into the evening’s glowing procession along the transit corridor.
Families, friends, neighbors and tourists began staking prime viewing spots along the parade route as early as 6:00 p.m. for the after-dark festivities.
Eager parade participants gathered at the Irwin Street entrance to the Eastside Trail, and at about 8:15 p.m. the parade kicked off with Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade creator and host, Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons leading the way. The Krewe’s theme for 2019? Thank you for 10th years of Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parades!
“I made this giant thank you card, thinking about what to say for 10 years, but the answer just came down to gratitude,” explained Chantelle Rytter about the parade’s theme and opening banner. “It’s based on participation, you know? I mean the Krewe and the bands are cool and all, but without all the other people doing it, it wouldn’t be what it is. So thank you were the words for me for 10 years.”
The crowds and parade-goers jammed to the lively performances by local marching bands: Seed & Feed Marching Abominables, Black Sheep Ensemble, Sabor Brass Band, and ATL Freedom Band.
Highlights of this glowing ode to creativity included larger-than-life illuminated marionettes of cats, dogs, phoenixes, birds, and even Puddles Pity Party, accompanied by the clown, himself!
The party continued long after the parade finished at Piedmont Park with an after party at Park Tavern.
This year’s event may be over, but it is never too early to begin daydreaming about what fabulous lantern you can create for 2020.
The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade 2019 was presented by WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, with support from platinum sponsors Cox Enterprises and Ponce City Market.
The 2019-2020 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital, Georgia Natural Gas, and Ponce City Market. Additional sponsors include Park Tavern at the Gold level; Kroger at the Silver level; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, MailChimp, WarnerMedia, and Uber at the Bronze level; and Flashpoint Artists Initiative, Inman Park Neighborhood Association and Michael Ross | Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s at the Patron level.
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 National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
