In Atlanta, the Beltline Lantern Parade has become a cherished tradition, drawing thousands together in celebration and creativity each year.
One of the standout figures in this vibrant display is Mr. Happy, a towering puppet clad in a white suit and adorned with a smiley face, created by Cam Ayer.
Since 2010, Ayer has proudly marched with Mr. Happy as part of the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, a group that has played a pivotal role in this community event.
On May 3, Mr. Happy will once again join the procession as it journeys from Adair Park along the Southwest Beltline trail for the 15th annual Lantern Parade.
The parade, characterized by handmade lanterns and creative costumes, was conceived by Chantelle Rytter, the Krewe leader, who envisioned a gathering that would breathe life into the Beltline, then merely a dirt path.
Rytter shares, “We wanted to inhabit the space and imagine what it could be.”
The idea for the parade stems from Rytter’s nostalgia for the magic of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where she lived before returning to Atlanta.
In 2001, upon moving back, Rytter felt a void in the city’s celebration scene after participating in the Little Five Points Halloween Parade as a gnome.
Missing the festive spirit, she realized that the parades in New Orleans are seen as gifts to the city, sparking her desire to create something similar in Atlanta.
When the Beltline called for proposals for its inaugural Art on the Beltline in 2010, Rytter seized the opportunity, imagining a grand event.
The first Lantern Parade saw 500 people craft their own lanterns, leading to an informal yet magical stroll along the Eastside Trail, with the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons leading the way.
Ayer, who became friends with Rytter back in 1993 at the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club, crafted Mr. Happy, with his wife, Joy, taking on the role of Mrs. Happy.
The couple vividly recalls their experiences at the inaugural parade, crossing old railroad bridges while delighting attendees on that first night.
“When you put on a costume, you are anonymous and can go out and play in a big crowd,” Ayer notes, emphasizing the joy of spreading happiness in such a gathering.
The parade aligns perfectly with the Beltline’s commitment to arts programs that foster community connections and support local artists.
According to Amina Cooper, the Beltline’s director of arts and culture, Atlanta’s event is unique in its longevity and community engagement compared to similar celebrations in other cities.
“Other cities have attempted light-based creative placemaking parades,” Cooper states, “but ours is probably one of the longest-running events that incorporates community, arts, and performance.”
As the Lantern Parade gained traction, Rytter transitioned to making it her full-time job in 2011.
Over the years, she has expanded her reach to include seven annual events, including parades in Sandy Springs and Hilton Head Island.
In 2024, these community gatherings collectively attracted an estimated 45,000 attendees, and the Beltline Lantern Parade earned national recognition for its vibrant atmosphere.
However, growth brought logistical challenges. In 2022, due to overwhelming pedestrian congestion along the Eastside Trail, Rytter relocated the parade to the Beltline’s Southwest Trail for safety reasons.
The new location not only alleviated congestion but also allowed the Beltline to showcase its expanding Westside area, enhancing post-parade festivities at the nearby Lee + White complex.
Rytter’s warehouse, where she keeps her collection of puppets and conducts lantern-making workshops, is conveniently located just down the street from the parade’s endpoint.
Today, Rytter’s vision of whimsical revelry continues to thrive, as she now consults with various towns and cities across the nation to help them establish their own lantern parades.
Despite her expanding responsibilities, Rytter’s passion remains rooted in the spirit of community that sparked the very first parade.
She reflects, “Having a burst of collective joy on the calendar that everyone is invited to is so valuable.
Especially these days, bringing people together is a feat, but we have thousands of people coming joyfully together.
I tear up every time.”
After the successful inception of the Lantern Parade on an unpaved Beltline Eastside Trail in 2010, Rytter has now taken her vision to new heights with six annual parades around Atlanta, in addition to an enchanting beach event on Hilton Head Island.
The magnificent puppets for her parades rest in her Lee + White warehouse, crafted from bamboo, willow, and reed, adorned with fabric, and designed to illuminate the night sky with battery-operated lights hidden within.
Among her creations for the parades are whimsical figures such as an owl from the Parliament of Owls Parade, a Pink Lady Daisy from the Butterfly Lantern Parade, and “Mama Kissy,” a playful water puppet that gracefully swims in the Chattahoochee River during the “Take it to the River! Sandy Springs Lantern Parade.”
image source from：https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/the-beltline-lantern-parade-has-illuminated-atlanta-for-15-years/
