The Elevated Experience of Midtown's Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade
Chantelle Rytter brings NOLA parade energy to Midtown Atlanta
08/01/2024
BY ANNA CLAIRE EDENFIELD
The Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade has become Midtown’s most elegantly weird nighttime event, where hundreds gather to celebrate the Midtown community and parade art.
This black-and-white owl themed lantern parade loops through Midtown, led by the brass and percussion band, Black Sheep Ensemble, with giant owl lanterns soaring above and community-made parade art following behind. It’s a night filled with individuals connecting over community and creativity.
But what exactly is parade art?
We spoke with parade artist and creator, Chantelle Rytter, who gave an inside look into the meaning of parade art, the story behind Parliament of Owls and Midtown’s embrace of ‘the different.'
Parade Art and the Community
Rytter describes parade art as a historic art form that is processed through a public space. She highlights the power of parades in bringing people together, referencing military parades, religious processions and protests marches.
“I like to raise the power level of collective joy and silliness,” Rytter said.
Parades are an art form that allow the community to come together above the fray and remind us that our collective character can be beautiful and playful, Rytter explained. The Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade connects Midtown’s community through shared creativity and artwork.
Midtown's Embrace of the Elegantly Weird
Owls don’t typically flock, but each year at the Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade they do. When Rytter created the idea of Parliament of Owls, she knew owls don’t usually flock together but thought... maybe they should.
After residing in New Orleans for 10 years, Rytter fell in love with the parade culture. When she moved to Atlanta, she sought a way to bring parade art into the city.
During Rytter’s artist residency in 2018 with Cousins Properties in Midtown, the opportunity presented itself. In exchange for a free studio for two years, Rytter chose to gift to Cousins and the neighborhood an owl lantern parade that was going to march through Midtown.
“Art that inspires people to love their city is what I want to be doing,” Rytter said.
Rytter wanted to combine the energy of Fat Tuesday morning in the Quarter with community lantern parades. She saw nighttime parades as an elevated experience that Midtown deserved to have.
And so, the Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade was born.
The parade has transformed into a completely inclusive, while individually creative night, Rytter explained. She emphasized the fact that anybody can do it – all are invited to make a lantern, march through the street, dance alongside the band, and embrace the elegantly weird parade art.
“It sparks a note of civic pride,” Rytter explained. “It gives the feeling that Midtown Atlanta is special, that our city is playfully unique in the world.”
Shortly after the first Parliament of Owls parade, Midtown Alliance was inspired to start up the Heart of the Arts initiative that connects Midtown property owners with artists seeking workspace, fully embracing the desire for more art in the Midtown community.
As the parade evolves each year, Rytter noted that owl invention and owl fashion have only increased. More handcrafted owl masks and outfits appear even at other local parades like the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade and City of Sandy Springs Lantern Parade that she orchestrates.
Meet the Owls and the Krewe
All the lantern kits and designs are Rytter’s own inventions. Each year she collects owl images and drawings, then uses them as inspiration to invent a new species.
Over the years as Parliament of Owls has evolved, Rytter has invented 11 species of owls, such as the Southern Urban Forest Owl, Crested Creeper, Starred Barred Owl and Picasso Owl. Each of these invented owls appear in different forms like round lanterns, paper cut lanterns, finger lanterns, tealight owls and little fliers.
Rytter may be the visual artist behind the owl lantern designs, but she gets a great deal of help from her fellow community parade artists in bringing the designs to life. Founded in 1999 in New Orleans, The Krewe of Grateful Gluttons are a group of parade artists, led by Rytter that assist in the puppeteering and crafting of large-scale lanterns for lantern parades around the South.
To prepare for Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade, the Krewe cuts feathers, makes repairs and updates the large-scale owl illuminated lanterns. During the parade, the Krewe oversees puppeteering the giant, hard-to-miss owl lanterns towards the front.
“They’re high maintenance little critters, but they’re worth it,” Rytter said.
And just like the designs Rytter names, each of the large owl puppets is collectively given a unique name by the Krewe, inspired by the symbolism of owls representing wisdom - they name each one after intellectual individuals, Rytter explained.
Confucius, Darwin, Merriam-Webster, Marx and Rachel Carson are the six big fliers who help lead the way. The little owl babies, John Lewis and Ruther Bader Ginsberg, honor their namesakes who passed away the year they were created. The paper cut owls, Gatsby, Zelda and Calvin were named to add a bit of 1920s flair to the 2020s. The giant spinning owl headdresses are known as The Council of Owls.
“Marching on the street with a band is just one of life's greatest pleasures,” Rytter said.
Know Before You Go: Don’t Miss Your Chance to Experience Parade Art in Midtown
The 2024 Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade will fly through Midtown on August 3. The 1.2 mile parade loop begins and ends at Colony Square. Parade goers will continue through Midtown, passing through the new Midtown Art Walk and up Peachtree Street.
All you need is a black-and-white outfit and an owl lantern to participate. Attend an Owl Lantern Making Workshop, purchase an owl lantern kit from Shep’s Midtown Ace Hardware, or download one of Rytter’s drawings and create your own lantern at home here.
Before the owls start flocking, shop and dine at one of the 200+ restaurants in Midtown. Plan your night by exploring our interactive map here.
- 8 p.m. – Owls flock in the Plaza at Colony Square
- 9 p.m. – Owls take flight and start marching from Colony Square
- 9:45 p.m. – Owls return to the Plaza at Colony Square and enjoy music from the Black Sheep Ensemble until 10 p.m.
If this is your first time flying at the parade, Rytter offered some helpful tips for newcomer attendees. She encourages everyone to make a lantern, get their black-and-white outfit together and march with fellow owls. Get excited to hoot a lot, sing "Owl Fly Away” with the Krewe and get your pictures taken with some of the big owls.
Help Midtown Alliance prepare by RSVPing with some basic information in less than 60 seconds here.
