Sandy Springs Lantern Parade - Take It to the River

Get your lantern ready for the Take It to the River Lantern Parade! 

If you know, you know, and if you go, you'll glow! Join the parade with the giant lantern puppets and everyone’s favorite marching band, the Black Sheep Ensemble!

The Sandy Springs Lantern Parade is a family-friendly event designed by artist Chantelle Rytter. Parade participants walk along Morgan Falls Road (from Steel Canyon Golf Club to Morgan Falls Overlook Park), carrying LED lanterns that they’ve created themselves!

Photo by Steve Eberhardt

Pre-parade activities begin at 6 p.m. in the Steel Canyon Golf Club parking lot (460 Morgan Falls Rd). Prior to the parade, participants can enjoy music, food trucks, and children’s activities. 

The parade steps off at 8:15 p.m. The parade strolls from the Steel Canyon Golf Club to Morgan Falls Overlook Park (400 Morgan Falls Rd).  The parade is a glowing procession of light, color, and music, with Sanderson the Flying Pig in the lead! This year’s parade will feature Rosie and Bill, a darling pair of giant Roseate Spoonbill lantern puppets, and their huge wood stork friends, Click and Clack! All the giant lantern puppets are created by lantern parade artist, Chantelle Rytter.

NEW this year! As the parade arrives at Morgan Falls Overlook Park, there will be a magical, immersive experience allowing participants up-close and personal encounters with the larger-than-life, iconic "Take it to the River" lanterns. The up-close lantern encounters will include Jeremiah the Bullfrog, Georgia Kissyfish, and Alice the 25-foot Albino Alligator!

MAKE A LANTERN & JOIN THE PARADE  

In the Lantern Parade, you make the magic! Anyone is welcome to take part in the parade. There is no fee to participate, and no registration is needed. 

Here are three ways to make a lantern:

Purchase a Lantern Kit! Beginning April 1, a variety of lantern kits will be available at Steel Canyon Golf Club (460 Morgan Falls Rd). They will also be available at the Sandy Springs Farmer’s Market on April 8 and 15. Lantern Kits range from $6-30.

The parade is led by Sanderson and his Swoop of Flying Pigs! The idea for Sanderson came from Sandy Springs’ effort to incorporate back in 2005 when some believed that Sandy Springs would become a city “when pigs fly.” Flying Pig lantern kits will be available for purchase at all locations. Make a pig lantern & march in the front of the parade! 

Print a lantern template at home! Visit Chantelle’s website to download a free lantern template

Design your own! Let your imagination run wild & make your own!  There are lots of easy lantern-making ideas at Chantelle’s Lantern Ideas & Inspiration page! 

Only LED battery are powered lights allowed. No fire, and no flying lanterns. 

WATCH THE PARADE

If you prefer to leave your hands free, you are still welcome to cheer us on along the parade route! 

Due to the NEW Immersive Experience, viewing is not allowed at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. To watch the parade, please find a spot along the parade route, on Morgan Falls Road. For your safety, please do not climb or sit on the retaining walls.

If you would like to enjoy the Immersive Experience, you can walk down the hill after the parade passes (you can take the shuttle back at the end of the event).  This means you must walk down the hill, carrying your stuff, so bring a wagon.

NO CARS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE PARKING LOT AT MORGAN FALLS OVERLOOK PARK AFTER 4:00 PM ON APRIL 15.  

View/Download PDF version of this map

PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE

All parking lots are a short walk to Steel Canyon Golf Club (where the parade steps off), so we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Shuttle service to Steel Canyon will be available until 7:45pm.

Free Parking Lot (P1) - 600 Morgan Falls Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30350 

Church Parking (P2) - North Springs United Methodist Church (7770 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350). A small fee of $5 is collected to support NSUMC outreach programs. You will need to walk to the Free Parking Lot (P1) for shuttle pick up/drop off. 

How to Get Home

You can walk to your car, or you can take the shuttle back to the Free Parking Lot (P1). 

If you choose to walk back, you’ll get your steps in! It is .7 miles back to the Free Parking Lot, uphill.

Shuttle service back to the free parking lot (P1) begins once the parade reaches Morgan Falls Overlook Park, around 9:00 p.m.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

View / Download a PDF of Safety Notes & Additional FAQ