Every time the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade rolls around, I wish I could take flight and watch it from a bird's-eye view. I imagine it must look like a long, glittery snake slithering through the city. In reality, street level is way more fun, especially if you're one of the 20,000 revelers who gets to carry a lantern and boogie en mass down the Beltline's Eastside trail.
The good news is, everyone can participate. And while a lantern isn't required, it is required to have the most fun.
What's that you say? You don't have a lantern? Parade founder Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons have that covered. They're hosting lantern-making workshops Aug. 15-Sept. 10 at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. The cost is $25-$50, including supplies.
If you're interested, sign up now. Workshops fill up fast.
The parade, which starts at dark on Sept. 12 at Irwin Street in Old Fourth Ward and ends at Monroe Drive in Midtown, launches Art on the Atlanta Beltline, a three-month exhibition of public art along the Beltline's Eastside and Westside trails.
