By Jonathan Phillips, contributor
The Decatur Lantern Parade lit up the night again on Friday, May 13.
The parade – co-sponsored by the Decatur Education Foundation, the Decatur Arts Alliance, the Downtown Development Authority and Color Wheel Studio – began at East Howard Avenue and ended in the Decatur Square. The annual event draws thousands of people to downtown Decatur.
Dave Lind (left) prepares his goldfish lantern as he waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Maria Levin (left) laughs with her friend Skyler Marks as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Nurta Abdikadir (center) is surrounded by paper lanterns as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
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Dave Lind (left) moves his goldfish lantern into position as he waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
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.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Dianna Watson (left) holds an eagle lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Kids look up at Cameron Ayer (left) as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Barbara Herrera (center) holds a cat lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Meredith Barna (left) helps Beverly Beyer with her lantern as they wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Dianna Watson (left) holds an eagle lantern as she waits for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people wait for the start of the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Chantelle Rytter (center) kicks off the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Kira Wilsterman (right) and Nick Madden walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Logan Cesare (right) walks with his family during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Melissa Shrager (right) carries an umbrella lantern during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people walk down E. Ponce during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Layne Huey (center) carries an umbrella lantern during the third annual Decatur Lantern Parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Nyle Corey (center) rides on his father Alan’s shoulders during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people enter Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
The Black Sheep Ensemble play perform in Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
The Black Sheep Ensemble play perform in Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Brian Logan (right) carries his daughter Drew on his shoulders as they enter Decatur Square during the third annual lantern parade on Friday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips