Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade

Saturday, September 6, 2014

There are some days that are better than others for a photographer and Saturday was definitely one of those days! After finishing up at the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park, I headed into downtown Atlanta for the 5th annual Beltline Lantern Parade and yes it is just as cool as it sounds. Hundreds of people walked the two-mile Eastside Trail after the sun set carrying electric lit lanterns as they made their way towards Piedmont Park. The event celebrates the reclaiming of what used to be a dark and scary place according to organizer Chantelle Rytter and the lanterns help to do just that. It was a great walk, even if the humidity was unusually high, full of people lining the trail to watch the parade pass. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes lit up the night as the parade snaked along the trail, growing longer, as more and more people joined along the way. Definitely on the list of things to enjoy next year!

Beverly Beyer (left) and Heather Whitman make last minute adjustments to Beyer's lantern as they wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Beverly Beyer (left) and Heather Whitman make last minute adjustments to Beyer’s lantern as they wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Marc Fayard makes last minute adjustments as he waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Marc Fayard makes last minute adjustments as he waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

The sun starts to set as Kimberly Aguirre (center) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

The sun starts to set as Kimberly Aguirre (center) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Christine Hosp puts her lantern together as she waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Christine Hosp puts her lantern together as she waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dressed as Mario and Princess Peach, Bill Burnard (left) and Kate Gunderson wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dressed as Mario and Princess Peach, Bill Burnard (left) and Kate Gunderson wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Ellen Thuss waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Ellen Thuss waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Alden Banks (center) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Alden Banks (center) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Chantelle Rytter waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Chantelle Rytter waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Chris Creech (center) holds onto his lantern before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Chris Creech (center) holds onto his lantern before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Mitchell McHugh (left) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Mitchell McHugh (left) waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dashill Smith plays his trumpet before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dashill Smith plays his trumpet before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Matt Karol waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Matt Karol waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Rabbi Josh Lesser (left) and Michael Baker carry lanterns before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Rabbi Josh Lesser (left) and Michael Baker carry lanterns before the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dressed as a firefighter, Obi Edelstein (left) and his mother Silvia wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Dressed as a firefighter, Obi Edelstein (left) and his mother Silvia wait for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Travis Sharp (center) carries a lantern while pushing a stroller before the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Travis Sharp (center) carries a lantern while pushing a stroller before the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Lucy Ferguson (right) carries a lantern as she waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Lucy Ferguson (right) carries a lantern as she waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Steve Hendry (right) carries a lantern as he waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Steve Hendry (right) carries a lantern as he waits for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Hundreds of people carrying lanterns line up for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Hundreds of people carrying lanterns line up for the start of the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Joy Ayer (right) and her husband Cameron carry lanterns on their backs during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Joy Ayer (right) and her husband Cameron carry lanterns on their backs during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Scott Peterson (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Scott Peterson (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Melina Lozano (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Melina Lozano (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Amie Robb (left) and Jen Long (right) steer a horse lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Amie Robb (left) and Jen Long (right) steer a horse lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Harper Daniel (right) and Avery Wueste hold lanterns as they watch the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade pass by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Harper Daniel (right) and Avery Wueste hold lanterns as they watch the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade pass by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Bridget Wynn (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Bridget Wynn (center) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

The Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by a giant astronaut on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

The Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by a giant astronaut on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Scott Peterson (right) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Scott Peterson (right) carries a lantern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Sherry Wheat (left) holds a lantern as she watches as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Sherry Wheat (left) holds a lantern as she watches as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kelly Myers (center) carries a lantern as she talks with friends during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kelly Myers (center) carries a lantern as she talks with friends during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kiera Robbins (center left) and Thomas Trinh (center right) help operate a giant astronaut during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kiera Robbins (center left) and Thomas Trinh (center right) help operate a giant astronaut during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Spectators on an upper floor of a parking deck watch as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Spectators on an upper floor of a parking deck watch as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Cameron Zentz (right) holds a light up doll head as she watches while the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Cameron Zentz (right) holds a light up doll head as she watches while the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Joy Castner (left) and Ellen Wyatt watch as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Joy Castner (left) and Ellen Wyatt watch as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade passes by on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kiera Robbins (bottom center) and Thomas Trinh help operate a giant astronaut during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Kiera Robbins (bottom center) and Thomas Trinh help operate a giant astronaut during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Cathy Pirtle carries a lantern past City Hall East during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Cathy Pirtle carries a lantern past City Hall East during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Ben Londillo (right) and Emily Heath carry lanterns past City Hall East during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Ben Londillo (right) and Emily Heath carry lanterns past City Hall East during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Laura Alexander (center) carries a flower lantern towards Park Tavern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Laura Alexander (center) carries a flower lantern towards Park Tavern during the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Melissa Anziano (center) carries a fish lantern towards Park Tavern after finishing the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Melissa Anziano (center) carries a fish lantern towards Park Tavern after finishing the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 6, 2014.