Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade

What fun! This was my first year really observing. Last year, I just happened to be dining at a restaurant near the BeltLine and saw some of the action. The lights were lovely. This year, I went out with some friends to watch the whole thing. We were a bit late so it was kind of mad by the time we got there. We got separated from each other and it was hard to find a good spot to view, especially since I am so short. People were still trying to walk toward KSM as the parade was coming up the BeltLine. Sheesh. I was really impressed by the creativity of the lanterns. This has really become a huge deal and people put alot of time into their work. Thank you, artists! As the parade ends, people tend to join in. Since I live off the BeltLine in the direction that the parade goes, I did so. I didn’t want to take the long way home. Looking forward to viewing again next year!

A few things you need to know about the parade:
–It starts after sunset. We were at Ponce City Market (parade starts at Krog Street). It was about 50 minutes or so before they made it to PCM. So that makes me think they started later than they scheduled. Either way, be prepared to wait.
–The parade overall is kind of unorganized. There’s people going towards the start, away from the start, everywhere. It’s not like say, the Dragoncon Parade, where it’s a clear start and finish. Because it’s open to all and the barrier of entry is low, there’s tons of people participating in it.
–There’s great viewing at Ponce City Market, and an easy connection to the beltline from there.
–If you go early, bring some lawn chairs!

A walk in the dark with all your closest neighbors from the metro area! Paper lanterns and other creative items of illumination lit our path from Krog Street Market to Piedmont Park. Marching bands kept the spirits high and our own local celeb — Baton Bob was in great form too!

Atlanta loves an excuse to get together outside in crowds. Seriously, whether it’s the Dogwood Festival, Inman Park Festival, Summer Shade, SummerFest, Chomp & Stomp, Kirkwood’s «Beers and BreastsFest» (one of these may or may not only exist in my imagination), ATLiens love to stand outside. I don’t really know why; it’s hot out there. Seriously, the only town with more festivals and events than Atlanta is Stars Hollow. But I’m old and surly. I used to be fun once and I used to like to, uh, stand outdoors. Which brings us to the Beltline Lantern Parade.
The Beltline Parade’s been around since 2010, preceding even most of the concrete of the Eastside Trail. When it first started, it was pretty small, numbering in the several dozen. Four years later, it’s over 10,000 participants (and growing.) Even surly guys like me can see the appeal. First, it’s held in the Fall, so no brutal heat. Second, it starts at night, so again, no brutal heat. (At last, an outdoor event I can get behind!)
The name is pretty self-​explanatory, but if you need the help, here goes. Thousands of people line up on the Eastside Trail, bearing lanterns of all shapes and sizes (some bought, many homemade, several elaborate, and me, with a $ 4 flashlight I bought at Kroger.) And they parade. They party. It’s a fun, raucous event, but it’s not exactly Mardi Gras. You can string light sticks on your kid’s stroller and roll that along too. I can’t wait until they finish the Beltline so we can include even more people. Then again, by the time they finish the Beltline, my kid will be pushing my decrepit ass along in my own stroller. Oof.