On Saturday, September 10, 2016, I walked for what seemed to be miles to make it to the Atlanta Beltline biking trail. Upon arrival, beads of sweat were gathering in my t-zone, I was a bit winded, and it was just hot enough to make me feel like wanting to go home. I noticed the area was very crowded, much more than usual. I don’t often do well with large crowds. Much to my surprise, September 10th marked the date of the Lantern Festival held at the Beltline. I immediately knew I’d be in for an exciting evening considering I’d just be at home, in bed, watching Netflix on any other given Saturday.
Sculpture on the Beltline
I sat in the shade at the beginning of the trail on one of many stone benches circling a multicolored geometric art fixture. As I caught my breath admiring the art, I was already in an appreciative and more relaxed mood. There was art covering every area. The diverse amount of technique and wide range of colors immediately drew me in. Hipsters, athletes, families, artists, photographers, musicians, and wanderers were crowding the area, doing their own thing: appreciating art, exercising, biking, walking, running, painting, playing, eating, laughing, taking pictures. It was so much to take in all at once, yet so relaxing. I experienced a rather touching moment as I noticed that conformity didn’t exist there. Everyone was different, and it was the most freeing feeling I’ve ever experienced. Coming from a small town, I felt a sensational relief that I didn’t have to fit in. I could just be me, and people would accept that.
The breeze cooled my skin and smelled faintly of mulled cinnamon harvest and crisp leaves, just as it tends to smell every year when fall approaches. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Fall is always my most highly anticipated season, and the fact that I was going to be able to spend some time outdoors during the first moments of it was enough to approach this visit with determination and complete elation.
Walking on the trail
I started walking, a smile parading my face. The first thing I noticed about the bike trail’s atmosphere was that it was completely encouraging and positive. Considering how chaotic and unsettling a large city can be, the Beltline gave me a deliberate sense of peace and inspiration. I looked around and saw how highly encouraged art is on the bike trail. I teared up as I realized this was a place of pure freedom of expression. It’s so wonderful for local freelance artists and musicians, young and old, to have an environment such as this one to freely express themselves and creatively channel their art.
Art of all forms is encouraged on the Atlanta Beltline.
Graffiti
It was displayed under highway bridges, on the outskirts of the trail, as sculptures, as photographs, as architecture, as musical entertainment and more. Graffiti adorned the concrete infrastructure of the highway bridge in a multitude of colors and styles. I even got to witness Graffiti being made in real time, which is something I’ve never seen before. That experience alone was exhilarating.
graffiti being painted
There were alluring sculptures ornately placed in areas up and down the entirety of the trail. On one part of the trail, there are beams painted with uplifting sayings and quotes. I simply felt a total aura of relaxation and warmth and happiness when I saw the art. Visitors of the trail stop and take photos and admire the artwork in groups. There are probably thousands of visitors each day that get to see the artists’ work, which of course makes my heart smile. Appreciation and recognition of art is what makes it such a special thing in the first place.
Musicians typically play under the highway bridges, where the acoustics allow resonance to be heard for audiences and passer-byers. When I arrived under the bridge, there were two young gentlemen beating complex rhythms onto antique glass bottles. I sat nearby, closed my eyes, and listened to the percussionists intently. As a music major, I couldn’t feel anything but joy and pride for them. It takes a lot of courage to perform in front of people. The air was still cool, my heart was bursting with joy, and I enjoyed every second of the music being played.
The “Euro Dog” from a food truck at the Beltline
lanterns unfocused
The lantern parade was nothing short of spectacular. I had the best view, I sat at the very top of the area under the highway. It almost looked like I could see lights and lanterns for miles on end. They came in a myriad of colors and themes, there was marching band music, there was a festival area with food trucks and live music, local businesses handing out free drinks. I had the most fun I’ve had for months.
The Beltline, I’ve learned, is a place I will visit for many more years to come. Whenever I’m stressed or tired, I’ll remember how free and relaxed I felt when I went there. I can’t say how proud I am to be apart of a community that provides such a fantastic area. One day, I hope to contribute. Full of opportunity and freedom of expression, the Beltline is somewhere I’ll visit again and again, and bring others with me as well to experience the joy and relaxation that I experienced on that fine Saturday evening.
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