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Media Advisory: Art on the Atlanta Beltline’s Lantern Parade Returns for 13th Year

Featuring parade creators Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons WHO: Atlanta Beltline, Inc.’s arts and culture program, Art on the

  • Parks & Trails
MAY 15, 2023

Featuring parade creators Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade save the date 2023

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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