Chantelle Rytter plans Decatur lantern parade, with a twist
Chantelle Rytter came to Atlanta to ignite the artistic passions of the city and infuse it with some New Orleans-style magic.
And the Beltline Lantern Parade was born. For a decade, thousands of people have created paper lanterns and strutted to the music of the Black Sheep Ensemble and Wasted Potential Brass Band.
Rytter is now birthing a new parade concept: Decatur Lantern Parade-in-Place, Social Distancing Edition.
Here’s how it will work:
Pull out the lantern you used in a previous parade — whether in Grant Park or along the Beltline — or make a new one. Then hang your lantern on your porch, in your yard, from your balcony or in your window. Then, play some tunes from one of the bands mentioned above and "walk, bike or drive around the neighborhood over the weekend and get your lantern love fix," Rytter wrote on her website.
When the sun goes down Saturday, May 9, “keep an eye out for the Krewe of the Grateful Glutton’s giant lantern puppets wandering about town,” Rytter wrote.
» A 'thank you' from the queen of the Lantern Parade
There is also a contest. On Saturday, post a photo of your decorations on social media using #paradeinplacedecatur. If your photo is picked, you’ll get a visit Sunday by giant lantern puppet Rex Kitty.
DETAILS
Decatur Lantern Parade-in-Place
Sundown, Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10
Your house in Decatur
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
