Friday, May 15, 2015
Last Friday was amazing. The streets of Decatur were lit up as around 1,500 people strolled from Color Wheel Studio to Decatur Square with paper lanterns.
Bigger than any year previously, people came out in droves to watch as colorful paper and bamboo lanterns make their way through the mile route. It was colorful and fun with music provided by the Black Sheep Ensemble to boot.
Daphne Cobb (left) ties helium balloons into her family’s lantern before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade at Color Wheel Studio on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Leah Wolf puts the finishing touches on her lantern before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Tim Marker (right) helps his son Coleman with his skeleton lantern before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade at Color Wheel Studio on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Nadiya Mohamed (right) and Anisa Sharif hold their lanterns as they wait for the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Ayub Sharif holds his lantern as he waits for the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Kira Porter looks up at her lantern before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Madison Beckham holds her lantern as she waits for the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns and people fill E. Howard Ave. right before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Kelly Hackett checks the lights on her umbrella before the start of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Rich Goidel with the Black Sheep Ensemble plays the bass drum during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Eleanor Campbell (right) carries her star shaped lantern during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Ziah McKinney (center) belly dances during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Heather Whitman (right) talks with Beverly Beyer as they carry lanterns on their backs during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Chantelle Rytter (center left) leads the Decatur Lantern Parade down E. Howard Ave on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Choyce Smith (center) carries her sister Shiphrah James on her shoulders as they walk down E. Howard Ave. during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns fill the street as people march toward Decatur Square during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns make their way down N. Candler St. during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Luke Beckham carries star lanterns during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns fill the street as people march toward Decatur Square during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns and people fill the streets as people march in the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Lanterns and people fill the streets as people march in the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Coleman Marker (right) carries a skeleton lantern on his back as he marches in the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Ian Hogben (right) carries a dragon lantern with his brother Alec during the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Thousands of people listen to the Black Sheep Ensemble play in Decatur Square at the conclusion of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Thousands of people listen to the Black Sheep Ensemble play in Decatur Square at the conclusion of the Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips