One hundred years ago, Tom Lee steered his tiny boat back and forth along the Mississippi to rescue 32 people from a capsized steam boat. He did not know how to swim, yet he continued through nightfall, hanging a lantern on his skiff. He became a hero, local and national. “Shine on, Tom Lee, shine on!” the African Methodist Church hailed at the time.

And now, a century later, Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) wishes to raise (at least) 100 lanterns in honor of Lee’s heroism on 901 Day. As Jasmine Coleman, director of programming and engagement at MRPP, says, Tom Lee’s Mississippi River Gumption Revival Lantern Parade is “really focusing on his gumption and figuring a way to revive our own courage and just have that at top of mind.”

For the parade, MRPP enlisted the help of Chantelle Rytter, a parade artist known for founding the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade. With Rytter, MRPP conceptualized three types of lanterns that community members could make in workshops and later parade with: a kerosene lantern, a catfish lantern, and an illuminated parasol, each with their own symbolism. The kerosene lantern, Coleman says, represents Lee’s own that he hung from his boat, while the catfish symbolize Mississippi River life and the parasols are reminders of the survivors who used their parasols to stay afloat by popping them open and trapping the air beneath. 

As the lantern-making workshops conclude on August 30th, Coleman reflects, “Instead of just being a spectator, we really didn’t want to shy away from being able to get the community involved and help further the legacy of Tom Lee.”

For those who couldn’t make a workshop, Coleman says, people of all ages can bring their own. Instructions to make the ones from the workshops are available here. “But it’s up to their own creativity. It doesn’t have to be the ones that we’re teaching people how to make,” Coleman says. “Even if they have a [store-bought] lantern, they could definitely march in the parade.” (A limited number of lanterns will be available for purchase.)

The Lucky Seven Brass Band will lead the parade in a second line, and some of Rytter’s larger lantern puppets from previous parades will join in the fun. The artist is also creating a 7-foot catfish specifically for the Gumption Revival.  

Before the parade steps off at 7:45 p.m. into Tom Lee Park, where it will be viewable, MRPP will host a 901 Day celebration under the Sunset Canopy from 6 to 9 p.m., with bounce houses, food, games, music, and more. 

“I’m really excited to see it come to life,” Coleman says. “I think it’s hard to picture what it will look like since it’s something that hasn’t happened before [in Memphis]. … And hopefully this is going to be a lasting tradition. People are always looking for fun things to do on 901 Day, and I’d love to bring this back.” 

Volunteers are needed for the Mississippi River Gumption Revival Lantern Parade. Sign up here. 

Tom Lee’s Mississippi River Gumption Revival Lantern Parade, Tom Lee Park, Monday, September 1, 6 p.m.

​

Abigail Morici, Memphis Flyer August 27, 2025