The annual parade of lights will debut on the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail
One of Atlanta’s most beloved annual traditions returns on May 21 for its twelfth year! The Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade will take place, for the first time, on the Westside Trail. Created and presented by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, everyone is invited to bring their own lanterns and join giant puppets, marching bands, and fellow Atlantans on a 1-mile parade in a celebration of creativity, community, and light through the historic neighborhoods of southwest Atlanta.
Lineup for the parade begins at 8:00 p.m. at Adair Park I on Catherine Street in the Adair Park neighborhood. At 8:45 p.m., the parade will step off and travel northwest on the Westside Trail to Lee + White. Four marching bands will accompany the Krewe and the parade in order of appearance: Sabor! Brass Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Seed & Feed Marching Abomninables, and Wasted Potential Brass Band!
In 2010, the Lantern Parade set out to encourage people to discover the unpaved Atlanta BeltLine. Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons submitted a performance proposal for the first year of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine that called for people to make lanterns and join them for a nighttime stroll along the then-dirt Eastside Trail. The first parade garnered roughly 400 participants and no spectators. The Krewe ultimately succeeded in their mission – the parade grew to an estimated 70,000 participants and viewers in 2019.
While everyone is invited and encouraged to join in this magical celebration, there are a few guidelines. Participants must have a lantern to walk in the parade. Please no bikes or pets. Pedestrian traffic on the trail during the parade must flow in the same direction to the northwest. Flying lanterns are prohibited.
Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons offer lantern making workshops for a range of types and skill levels, including globe lanterns, big lantern puppets, illuminated parasols, reed and sticks English-style free form lanterns, and Herd of Cats globe lanterns. For this parade, workshops will take place in a pop-up Lantern Parade Studio courtesy of Lee + White. On May 13, the Krewe is offering the Lantern Parade Salon and Artist Talk. The full schedule of lantern workshops, along with lantern ideas and inspiration, is available at weirdgonepro.com.
Be advised that rolling street closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 21. Catherine Street will be closed between Allene Avenue and the north end of Lexington Avenue at 8 p.m. Allene Avenue will be closed between Brookline Street and Warner Street at 8:30 p.m. Please note that there is no parking on site nor in the adjacent neighborhoods. Alternative modes of transportation are highly encouraged. Participants and attendees should plan to take MARTA to the West End station, utilize a ride share service, or bike. Visit itsmarta.com for train and bus schedule information.
All are welcome to join the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, the bands, and parade-goers at the official after party at Lee + White. This is an ideal chance to take photos with the Krewe’s giant puppets! Additional opportunities to volunteer with the Krewe include being a Lantern Parade Marshal or being a parade puppeteer. More details at weirdgonepro.com
A detailed map will be posted at art.beltline.org/lantern-parade.
Media may check in at the blue Atlanta BeltLine tent at the start of the parade.
Stay abreast of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine announcements and events at art.beltline.org, or follow us on social media:
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The 2021 – 2022 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital and WarnerMedia. Additional sponsors include Kroger and Ponce City Market at the Gold level; Edward Jones at the Silver level; and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Patron level.
The 2022 – 2023 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital. Additional sponsors include Ponce City Market at the Platinum level; Cox Enterprises and Empire Communities at the Silver level; and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Bronze level.
The Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Ponce City Market at the Platinum level; The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Enterprises, and REI at the Gold level; and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Silver level.
This program is supported in part 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 program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is 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.
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