Media Advisory: Art on the Atlanta Beltline’s Lantern Parade Returns for 14th Year

Saturday, May 11 on Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail, led by parade creator Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade Aerial View. Photo by LoKnowsDrones.

WHO:

• Art on the Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta BeltLine’s arts and culture program

• Lantern Parade Creator, Curator and Orchestrator Chantelle Rytter and her Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons

• Presenting Sponsor: Lee + White, Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners

WHAT: Art on the Atlanta BeltLine****’s Lantern Parade

• The beloved annual tradition will lead giant puppets, marching bands and fellow Atlantans on a one-mile parade along the BeltLine’s Westside Trail.

• Five marching bands will accompany the Krewe: Atlanta Drum Academy, Black Sheep Ensemble, Seed & Feed Marching Abominables, Atlanta Freedom Band, Wasted Potential Brass Band and Grammy-Award winning artist Kebbi Williams and the Wolfpack

• The general public is also invited to bring their own lanterns and walk in the parade. In 2023, the parade attracted an estimated 15,000 participants and spectators.

• Post-Parade “All-Band-Puppet-Jam:” 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 in the Lee + White Food Hall parking lot. A unique opportunity to interact with the Krewe’s giant puppets and all of the participating bands.

WHERE: Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail

• Parade Start: Adair Park I – 742 Catherine St SW

• Parade End: Lee + White – 1070 White St SW
  Downloadable parade route: art.beltline.org/events/lantern-parade/

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 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 9 from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. at her Lee + White Lantern Parade studio, located at 1070 White St. The Krewe’s giant puppets will be on display.

Media Assets: Images | Parade Route Map | Parade Info + Chyron Slides

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. Your creative play is a gift to our city.”

• The Lantern Parade is one of Atlanta BeltLine’s longest-running events

• Debuted in 2010 with a few hundred people and continues to grow to include tens of thousands of lantern enthusiasts.

• Community members join Chantelle and the Krewe annually to help build and operate the 100+ lantern puppets that are presented in the parade.

ADDITIONAL EVENT-DAY DETAILS AND PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES:

• Rolling street closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 11. 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.

• Getting There – Recommended Transportation: 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.

• Limited Parking: Limited parking will be available in the adjacent neighborhoods and 1200 White Street. Event sponsor Ackerman & Co. will also provide complimentary shuttle service to and from Lee + White and the 1200 White Street parking lot. Parking will also be available at The MET and the Herman J. Russell West End Academy.

• Participation Guidelines: While everyone is invited and encouraged to join in the celebration, there are a few guidelines. Participants must have a lantern to walk in the parade. No bikes or pets on the route. Pedestrian traffic on the trail during the parade must flow in the same direction to the northwest. Flying lanterns are prohibited.

• Vendor Market + Lantern Making-Station: Market will be open from 5 – 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Adair Park and Murphy Crossing on 1089 Allene Avenue SW.  Market will showcase local artists offering unique, handmade crafts and art. ​​There will also be a lantern-making station from 5-7:30 p.m. with Scraplanta.

• Pittsburgh Yards Kids’ Lantern Making Workshop and Parade: A family-friendly afternoon of lantern making before the BeltLine’s 14th Annual Lantern Parade, presented in partnership with The Happy Black Parent. Workshop to be held at Pittsburgh Yards from Noon – 6:00 p.m., culminating with a Kids’ Parade for the final hour, all ending at 7 p.m.

Stay abreast of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine announcements and events at art.beltline.org, or follow on social media @atlantabeltline and with #beltlineart.