Every year, millions of people tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s one of the biggest communal spectacles in the country—a reminder that art and play have the power to bring strangers together, even if only for a moment.
The Macy’s Parade is a national tradition, but the impulse behind it—sharing joy in public space—isn’t tied to a holiday. Atlanta reflects that same instinct through a year-round parade culture built by the people who live here.
One of the leaders shaping that culture is TEDxAtlanta 2025 speaker and parade artist Chantelle Rytter. Her talk, “How parades can build community,” is a reminder that joy is public and that neighborhoods become stronger when we step outside and build something together.
This talk was also selected as a TEDx Editor’s Pick, a distinction given to roughly 500 talks out of more than 4,000+ TEDx events and tens of thousands of talks worldwide.
How Parades Shift the Way We See Each Other
In an age where loneliness is on the rise, Chantelle makes the case that parades offer far more than entertainment—they’re a civic wellness program.
She describes illuminated creatures gliding through the Atlanta night, thousands of handmade lanterns drifting along the BeltLine, and strangers cheering for people they’ve never met. In her words, “Parades create a space above and away from the fray where we come together simply to delight one another.”
And something shifts in that space. For an hour, the city becomes a place of possibility; a reminder that playfulness isn’t frivolous at all, but something that restores us.
The Journey That Brought Parade Magic to Atlanta
Chantelle spent a decade in New Orleans, where parading is woven into the rhythm of the city. When she moved to Atlanta, she immediately felt the absence of that ritual. Not the spectacle, but the shared joy, the sense of belonging that happens when people gather in public to create something together.
So she decided to build it.
What started as longing became one of Atlanta’s most beloved cultural traditions: the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade. Over the past 15 years, her work has invited more than half a million people into the streets to create, march, dance, and witness one another in a way that feels both ancient and entirely new.
What We Learn When We Celebrate Together
Atlanta traffic and the daily headlines may test our optimism, but parade nights show something different—the version of ourselves that’s kind, creative, and willing to show up for each other.
You see it in the way someone lights up when a cheering crowd calls out their lantern or costume. You see it when newcomers realize they don’t need to be “born into” parade culture to claim it; it grows simply because people build it together.
As the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade captures national attention, it’s a good prompt to look at what makes parade culture meaningful. These gatherings don’t rely on tradition alone—they take shape because people commit time and creativity to them.
Parades connect people to people, and people to their place. They’re open invitations to bring your imagination, your effort, and your presence to create a moment that belongs to everyone.
In a season defined by gratitude and gathering, Chantelle’s talk is a reminder that community doesn’t happen on its own.
We create it—lantern by lantern and moment by moment.
Kathryn Woods is a communication consultant and speaking coach with more than 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. As a “recovering shy person,” she understands how challenging communicating with confidence can be. She fuses her experience and expertise together to form the foundation of training and communicating she uses to help speakers, professionals, and teams feel comfortable and confident when communicating. Kathryn’s impactful and interactive presentations and trainings give participants the “Aha!” moment they seek, while teaching practical strategies that can be implemented immediately and with ease.
What first sparked your interest in TEDx?
The opportunity to be part of a community that works as a team to highlight the voices of TEDx Atlanta speakers and spread innovative ideas to make the world a better place.
If you could describe your volunteer experience with TEDxAtlanta in three words, what would they be?
Collaboration, community, and impact.
What is your favorite memory from your time working with TEDxAtlanta?
The satisfaction of witnessing the joy and pride the speakers feel when they finally get up on that red dot and deliver their message powerfully after weeks or months of working together to refine and practice their talks.
What is something that may surprise people about TEDx?
The events are not just a random group of speakers talking about unrelated ideas, but rather, a curated selection of ideas and speakers centered around a theme. It reminds me of a great album where each song relates back to a central motif.
Why should others volunteer with TEDx?
If you want to meet fascinating, mission-driven human beings, I highly recommend joining the TEDx volunteer team!
To connect with Kathryn, check out her LinkedIn or view her website.
Meggie Powell is a product marketing manager for a tech company focused on bringing digital workflows to the manufacturing industry. At TEDxAtlanta, she leads marketing and storytelling initiatives, sharing big ideas and amplifying the voices of local innovators. Meggie moved to Atlanta from Louisiana in 2016 and is passionate about sustainability, supporting local communities, and connecting with people who care about making a difference. Read more about how she’s applied her skills and passions as a marketing lead with TEDxAtlanta.
What first sparked your interest in TEDx?
I’ve always loved ideas that challenge the way we think or work. TEDx offered a way to not just hear those ideas, but to help bring them to life. It’s been inspiring to work alongside people who believe in the power of sharing bold perspectives.
What’s your favorite TED Talk or TEDx Talk?(include a link)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the kind of impact we choose to make, through our work, our buying decisions, and how we build brands.
That’s why Esha Chhabra’s TED Talk, “How Business Can Improve the World, Not Just the Bottom Line,” struck such a chord with me. She challenges the old idea that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive, and instead makes the case for regenerative businesses that prioritize people and the planet alongside performance.
As someone who works in product marketing for technology that helps frontline teams work smarter and safer, I’m constantly thinking about how innovation can support not just efficiency, but human impact. This talk is a reminder that doing good business and doing better for the world don’t have to be at odds.
If you could describe your volunteer experience with TEDxAtlanta in three words, what would they be?
Curious. Energizing. Thoughtful.
What is your favorite memory from your time working with TEDxAtlanta?
Seeing the talks go live—knowing how much care and collaboration went into every single one. There’s something special about being part of that process behind the scenes.
What is something that may surprise people about TEDx?
It’s 100% volunteer-run. Every detail you see—online, on stage, or in person—was created by people who care deeply about the mission.
How has TEDx helped you grow professionally and/or personally?
It’s given me the chance to connect with incredible professionals and learn from some of the most inspiring leaders in Atlanta. Being part of this community has expanded my perspective and helped me grow both creatively and professionally.
Why should others volunteer with TEDx?
Because it’s a front-row seat to the best of humanity. You’ll be part of something bigger than yourself, surrounded by people who care deeply about ideas, impact, and community.
To learn more about Meggie, connect with her on LinkedIn.