Friday, May 13, 2016
The streets of Decatur had a different kind of glow on Friday night. For the third straight year Chantelle Rytter has organized the Decatur Lantern Parade and each year it just keeps getting bigger. Thousands of people met at Color Wheel Studio to start the parade which featured homemade and handcrafted lanterns of various shapes and sizes. There were Chinese lanterns, Star Wars themed lanterns, cats, goldfish, umbrellas, stars, pigs and so much more. The streets were closed as the procession made its way into Decatur Square with a mile or so walk. This is by far one of my favorite events that the city holds and I hope it continues for years to come!
Dave Lind (left) prepares his goldfish lantern as he waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Maria Levin (left) laughs with her friend Skyler Marks as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Nurta Abdikadir (center) is surrounded by paper lanterns as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Dave Lind (left) moves his goldfish lantern into position as he waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Alex Park (right) runs his X-Wing lantern into the Death Star as he waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Dianna Watson (left) holds an eagle lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Kids look up at Cameron Ayer (left) as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Barbara Herrera (center) holds a cat lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Meredith Barna (left) helps Beverly Beyer with her lantern as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Dianna Watson (left) holds an eagle lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Thousands of people wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Thousands of people wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Chantelle Rytter (center) kicks off the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Thousands of people walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Kira Wilsterman (right) and Nick Madden walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Logan Cesare (right) walks with his family during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Melissa Shrager (right) carries an umbrella lantern during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Thousands of people walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Layne Huey (center) carries an umbrella lantern during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Nyle Corey (center) rides on his father Alan’s shoulders during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Brian Logan (right) carries his daughter Drew on his shoulders as they enter Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Thousands of people enter Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
The Black Sheep Ensemble play perform in Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
The Black Sheep Ensemble play perform in Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.