Tom Lee’s MISSISSIPPI RIVER GUMPTION REVIVAL LANTERN PARADE
Tap into the mighty
September 1, 2025
Gumption (noun)
Spirited initiative, courage, level-headedness, get-up-and-go that makes undertaking difficult things possible.
About the parade
The gumption of Tom Lee to rescue drowning strangers until the dawn was every bit as mighty as the river he fought. As the sun went down, Mr. Lee lashed a lantern to his skiff and kept going. “Shine on, Tom Lee, shine on!” wrote the AME Church in commendation.
This 901 Day —September 1, 2025—let’s raise a hundred lanterns down by the river in celebration of Tom Lee’s mighty gumption and revive our own.
The parade musters at 7:00 p.m. on the rooftop of Beale Street Landing (251 Riverside Drive) and steps-off at 7:45 p.m. Everyone is invited to make a lantern at community workshops and march along the riverfront at Tom Lee Park with The Most Spectacular Brass Band and parade artist Chantelle Rytter’s giant lantern puppets!
After the parade, keep the energy flowing with good food, drinks and entertainment at the Sunset Canopy.
GET INVOLVED
Be part of the magic! From artist talks and lantern-making workshops to volunteer opportunities, there are many ways to join the parade. Find out how you can get involved below.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Please contact info@memphisriverparks.org.
ARTIST TALK WITH CHANTELLE RYTTER
Join renowned parade artist Chantelle Rytter for a 45-minute Artist Talk, "Parade Arts: A Common Calling to Delight," followed by a two-hour Teach the Teacher lantern workshop on Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
This opportunity is open to artists, teachers and representatives of community organizations interested in teaching Memphians how to create their own lanterns for the parade.
Space is limited. Registration coming soon.
LANTERN WORKSHOPS
Want to light up the parade with your own handcrafted lantern? Join one of our community workshops at Beale Street Landing (251 Riverside Dr) to create a Tom Lee kerosene lantern, catfish lantern, illuminated parasol, hat or globe lantern for just $12. All materials are provided.
Workshop schedule and registration coming soon.
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Tickets are per lantern—two people may collaborate on one lantern and share it in the parade, but no more than two per lantern, please.
Workshops are best for ages capable of using scissors and handling hot glue safely. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Please arrive on time to ensure you receive all instructions.
Each workshop is limited to 20 participants.
You are welcome to bring a beverage and snack.
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Family Workshops:
Coming soon.
Adults-Only Workshops:
Coming soon.
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Can’t make it to a workshop but still want to participate? Get lantern ideas and inspiration here, and explore other great lantern parades rooted in community participation here.
For lantern theme inspiration, look to the wildlife of the Mississippi River, all thing Memphis and gumption.
Fun fact: Catfish are particularly full of gumption as they have thrived in muddy waters for 70 millions years!
VOLUNTEER
Want to be part of the parade behind the scenes? Sign up for our mailing list to receive volunteer opportunities.
ABOUT CHANTELLE RYTTER
Chantelle Rytter is a parade artist best known for founding the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade with the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, of which she is the proud Captain. Chantelle has created a family of annual parades based in community participation over the last fifteen years in many Atlanta neighborhoods and cities and communities across the south east. Chantelle grew up in Baltimore and studied integrative arts at Penn State University. She lived in New Orleans for ten years and fell under the spell of parade culture and the notion that individual creative play can be a civic gift.