Featuring parade creators Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons
WHO: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s arts and culture program, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine, Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, and parade participants.
Everyone is invited to bring their own lanterns and walk in the parade! In 2022, the parade attracted an estimated 15,000 participants and spectators.
WHAT: The beloved annual tradition, the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade featuring Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, will lead giant puppets, marching bands and fellow Atlantans on a 1-mile parade along the Westside Trail.
Five marching bands will accompany the Krewe and the parade: Atlanta Drum Academy, Black Sheep Ensemble, Seed & Feed Marching Abominables, Atlanta Freedom Band and Wasted Potential Brass Band.
WHERE: Along the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail from Adair Park I to Lee + White. The parade will wrap around the buildings at Best End Brewing. Bleacher seating will be available facing White Street to view the parade as it enters Lee + White. A downloadable map of the parade route is available on art.beltline.org/events/lantern-parade/.
Participants should plan to line up with their lantern behind their favorite band on Catherine Street and Mayland Avenue.
Immediately following the parade, all are welcome to join the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, the bands and parade-goers at the official after party at Lee + White. The parade finale at the Food Hall parking lot is an ideal chance to interact with the Krewe’s giant puppets at the all-band-puppet jam!
WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 2023:
7:45 p.m.: Line-up begins for the parade in Adair Park I
8:45 p.m.: Parade steps off and onto the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail
9:15 – 10 p.m.: All-band giant puppet jam and parade finale
PRE-Event Media Availability: Lantern Parade founder Chantelle Rytter will be available for interviews Thursday, May 18 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at her Lee + White Lantern Parade studio, located at 1070 White St. The Krewe’s giant puppets will be on display and Chantelle’s Master Class will be working on finishing touches for their ATLiens Ensemble at 5:30 p.m.
WHY: To celebrate creativity, community and light through the historic neighborhoods of southwest Atlanta. In the words of Chantelle Rytter: “I believe we have a common calling to delight one another. To see the people we share a community with as playful volumes of light, and to be witnessed as such, does a body good. It is restorative. It is collective joy, and we need it.”
ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Rolling street closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 20. 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. Parking is limited to the adjacent neighborhoods. For participants, alternative modes of transportation are highly encouraged, such as taking MARTA to the West End station, utilizing a ride share service, or biking. Train and bus schedule information can be found on itsmarta.com.
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.
Lantern Making Workshop Series: May 8 – 18, Chantelle Rytter and Krewe will host eight open-to-the-public workshops at their Lantern Parade Studio at Lee + White, 1070 White St., Atlanta, GA 30310. Their collection of giant lantern puppets will also be on display. The goal of the workshop series is to give ideas and skills to best deliver a lantern for this year’s parade and all the ones to follow. Those interested may register at www.weirdgonepro.com/atlanta-beltline-lantern-parade. Fees vary by workshop.
Stay abreast of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine announcements and events at art.beltline.org, or follow on social media @atlantabeltline and with #beltlineart.
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The 2022 – 2023 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital. Additional sponsors include Ponce City Market at the Platinum level; Delta at the Gold 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 Delta at the Gold level, Northside Hospital and Ponce City Market at the Silver level, and Kaiser Permanente at the Bronze 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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About the Atlanta BeltLine
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.
About Art on the Atlanta BeltLine
Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is the largest temporary public art exhibition in the history of Atlanta. It showcases the work of hundreds of visual artists, performers, and musicians along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. This spectacular project places working professionals alongside emerging artists, and draws residents and visitors into some of the most unique public spaces in the City of Atlanta, providing powerful new perspectives on the city and its vibrant neighborhoods. The exhibition showcases how art strengthens and beautifies current and former industrial areas and creates signature spaces exemplifying the transformation of the city through the Atlanta BeltLine. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine touches almost 20 intown communities.
About Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons
Chantelle Rytter is a parade artist best known for founding the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade with the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, of which she is the proud Captain. Chantelle has created a family of annual lantern parades based in community participation over the last twelve years in Decatur, Sandy Springs, Midtown, and Hilton Head Island. Chantelle grew up in Baltimore and studied integrative arts at Penn State University. She lived in New Orleans for ten years and fell under the spell of parade culture and the notion that creative play can be a civic gift. https://www.weirdgonepro.com/
About Lee + White
Reimagining the West End’s former “Warehouse Row,” the 442,562-square-foot Lee + White is Atlanta’s next trendsetting adaptive reuse project. Already a go-to destination for foodies and beer lovers, Lee + White’s next phase of development is bringing creative offices, a food hall, retail, and expanded BeltLine access. This transformation continues in a spirit that recognizes the West End’s rich history. The growing tenant roster at Lee + White includes ASW Exchange, Best End Brewing, Beya Salon Studios, Boxcar, Carbice, A Chiropractic Hub, Cultured South, Doux South Pickles, Honeysuckle Gelato (production), Hop City, JTEC Energy Inc., Mac Stadium, Monday Night Garage, The Overlook Boulder + Fitness, Plywood People, the Reinvestment Fund, Team Rehab, Utility Energy Services, Westside Dental and Wild Heaven Beer.
The roster at the Lee + White food hall, opening in 2023, showcases a mix of local favorites and regional and national concepts. Eateries to date include Cielito Lindo, Costa Coffee, Crème de la Crepe, Dough Boy Pizza, Gekko, Good Azz Burgers, Honeysuckle Gelato, Lake & Oak BBQ, Mochinut, The Original Hot Dog Factory, Pastaholics, Sakura Gifts, Sweet Red Peach, Vietvana and World Chicken. For more information, visit www.leeandwhiteatl.com
Media Contacts:
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303
Keona Swindler, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3550, kswindler@atlbeltline.org
TobinInk
Rachel Tobin
(404) 276-5930, rachel@tobinink.com
Sigele Winbush, PR Consultant
404-862-2081, sigele@sigelewinbush.com
