Baton Bob

I’ve seen him all over downtown. He’s always out. It’s his hobby. When you have alot of time on your hands these are the things that you do. I guess he’s a majorette.

L O L
I see Baton Bob every now and then if I get a chance to escape the office for a late lunch or a quick coffee break. He patrols Peachtree Road between Lenox and Piedmont.
Today, in particular, he was dressed in this captain’s get up, in what I figure was his way of honoring the veterans on Veteran’s Day. His little skirt was probably smaller than any skirt I’ve ever owned. And that’s saying something. He was just on the sidewalk, twirling his baton and blowing his whistle. Some people stopped to record, others passed by without a second glance (obviously Baton Bob was no surprise to them).
Even though he is a little odd and I have no idea how he makes money for a living, he somehow brings a smile to my face every time I see him. Keep that baton up, Bob!

This bitter, nasty person actually has a Unilocal page? I have seen his cuss at people and just treat them vrey unkind when they don’t give hime the attention that he thought he deserved. He needs to quit harrassing people and live in the real workd and not a fantasy world that he seems to occupy.

I miss Baton Bob because I moved from ATL years ago. He’s one the best parts of living in Midtown ATL. Spreading joy every where he goes

Spotted at Piedmont Park Arts Fest yesterday, Bob was dressed as a majorette (?) parading through the crowd and posing for photos. There was definitely mirth in his wake :)

Seeing Baton Bob strutting through Midtown is fancy getups, twirling a baton makes me SOOO happy :)

I love this man and don’t see nearly enough of him. Baton Bob, please show yourself more often and help prevent Midtown ATL from sinking into mediocrity!

He spreads joy wherever he goes! What a supremely awesome character. Atlanta is so lucky to have him!

please just go away. the only people with whistles should be basketball refs and even then its annoying.

I’ve seen this dude a million times in Buckhead. I didn’t know his name was Baton Bob. And I had no idea he had his own Unilocal page. Famous, or infamous? Is Bob a legend? Fine, he’s part of the fabric of Atlanta and all that. And you’ll probably get a good chuckle when you see him shaking his tail feather in some of the most flamboyant costumes ever made. But that ear piercing whistle is just annoying. If I don’t see Bob when I hear that god awful whistle then I’m looking around for someone directing traffic or a bicycle cop trying to pull me over. Not to mention, if you go to New York there’s a Baton Bob on every corner. But do your thing Bob. The pointing and dancing especially cracks me up.

Checking in on Unilocal to a person seems a little creepy. But with Baton Bob, it brings a big smile to my face.
For those of you super un-​hip folks who don’t know, Baton Bob struts around the streets of Atlanta in some of the most fab-​outrageous costumes you can imagine, blowing on his whistle, shaking his tail feather and making moves that you and I could only dream of.
He’s a city treasure, and he’s also a badass – getting in to a recent kerfuffle with police who got up in his business. Look, Poh Poh, you don’t want to mess with Baton Bob. kitty got claws.
I ran in to Bob at Henry’s in midtown one evening, and went up to him. «Honey, I want my picture with you,» I said. «You called me honey! amazing!» apparently he was excited that I used the right terminology. either way, I got my selfie and went on my way.
when you pass by him on the street, honk your horn in support for one of our city’s quirky-​fabulous treasures.

5 stars for making me laugh my ass off. I was driving down peachtree street and saw a man to my right dancing his ass off so hard. he looked like he was trying to audition for soul train. then i heard a whistle and thought a cop was trying to get my attention for not paying attention. i look to my left and there he was dressed in this get up that was more like the scarlet pimpernel meets shakespeare. he even had the feathered hat to top it off. wow. i laughed so hard i cried. i had to pull over and catch my breath. then i came back just to see him again. fuuuunnnnnyyyyyyy.

My life is now complete. I love Baton Bob.
Due to the fact I rarely leave my Buckhead bubble, I’ve only ever seen Baton Bob once while driving through Midtown. Thankfully all that changed last night. I was out and about with girlfriends celebrating a bachelorette party. We were leaving the St. Regis and happened upon Baton Bob at the top of their grand stairwell.
It couldn’t have been more perfect! Baton Bob is even more regal than the ultra swanky St. Regis itself. He was thrilled to meet the bachelorette, congratulated her on her upcoming nuptials, and obliged us in several fabulous pictures together. He donned a skintight red cocktail dress and a Santa hat and carried a silver sequined purse. He was without his trademark baton and whistle keeping it classy at the St. Regis, but was every bit as Baton Bob as I thought he would be nonetheless.
Atlanta really is lucky to have such a wonderful ambassador to our fair city. It’s impossible for this man not to put a smile to your face. Now if only we could all learn to live every day like Baton Bob.

Every city has their famous «characters» — Chicago has the Walking Dude, my hometown of Milwaukee has Milverine and Atlanta has the fabulous Baton Bob.
I’ve heard of this legend before but never managed to spot him before today. (There may have been a sighting of him years ago in a wedding dress outside a bar near Piedmont Park, but I was pretty hammered and may have been hallucinating) Today — there he was, strutting down Peachtree in a red tutu and mask, with his famous whistle and baton.
It kind of made my day, until I realized that he rocks a tutu better than I ever will.

Review #800!
My last sighting of Baton Bob had him in a bright red dress with poofy skirt on the corner of Juniper and 10^th Street… before I ran into him for a photo at the Dogwood Festival of course, wearing a beauty pageant sash and tiara. My mom was visiting me in Atlanta so I had to explain Baton Bob to her as we were walking away, and she said she HAD to get her picture taken with Baton Bob too! We turned around and Baton Bob was gracious to take another photo with my mom.
One of my friends even caught him on his «day off» at a restaurant, still wearing fabulous earrings. Though the constant whistle blowing is distracting and shrill at times, it’s always a treat to get a Baton Bob sighting.

Love, love, love, love, love, love Baton Bob! He has a knack for making people smile regardless of what type of day they’re having.
I love to see the newvbie’s face the first time they seem him parade down the street! We Atlanta Natives just sit back and wait for the priceless moment when the new bie’s face drops, the smile, then they end up having and cheering Baton Bob on!
Thank you for bringing Atlantans joy, Bob! You’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

It was nice seeing Bob making his way through the crowds of Taste of Atlanta this year.
Hell, I even got a «shout out» as he was parading down 5^th St whilst blowing his whistle. He pointed at me and waved.
Give em hell, Bob. You’re just great.

I was very perplexed while walking on my way to Midtown station. Across the street, I see a super muscular dude strutting his stuff dressed head to toe in teal – mesh tank, short shorts, and feather included – twirling a baton and blowing a whistle. The brightness of his outfit and cheerful demeanor brightened and added uniqueness to my day.
A few months later, I stumble upon his Unilocal page. Atlanta, you are so wonderful!

«First step, pizza. second step, flaming batons…» — Miss Congeniality (2000)
Ahhhh, Bob. Everyone has said just about everything there is to say about you. You are an institution in Midtown Atlanta. You create such a positive, happy aura around you wherever you go.
This particular encounter was at brunch — Bob walked past us (we were inside 10^th & Piedmont while he was on the corner outside). Bob did his usual strutting, blowing his whistle, directing traffic (both auto and foot) and making the spectacle that is Baton Bob. Thru the open window, he points to a member at our table as if a promise of more to come.
Before we know it, Bob has come into the restaurant and is having a glass of champagne at a table in the other room. And again, Bob points at our table, but this time at my friend Nick. But this time, he decides that Nick is adorable and he might need to come and give him a smooch… Nick looked nervous.
Bob worked the entire restaurant and joy and mirth was spread all around. As is Baton Bob.
If you see a man in costume, with a baton and/​or blowing a whistle, strutting through Midtown Atlanta, stop and watch and take him in — this is the institution know as Baton Bob!

Picture it:
Late summer, 2005, I’m a good way through my undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech, and I am driving down Peachtree St. one afternoon near 10^th. It’s a nice day, so I have my windows down. As I’m stopped at a light, I hear a whistle, you know, like a basketball ref’s whistle. I look to my left, and what do I espy, but Baton Bob in a Superman outfit marching down the street twirling a baton.
«What folly!» I thought to myself. It almost did not garner a second look since, you know… it’s Midtown, you see two or three crazy things per day which would frighten most suburbanites. Something about Bob was different though. His marching wasn’t induced by too many drugs (or not enough!). No, he was out having himself a grand time. His smile, infectious. His knees, high-​steppin’. Bob was simply being Bob. I still remember this as if it happened this yesterday. And the smile that covers my face now when I see Baton Bob is as big as it was the first introduction. He is truly a treasure in Atlanta, and I’m glad we snagged him from St. Louis, or whatever Midwest city he populated before.
Over the years, I have seen Bob appear at many Midtown events. He is always an awesome presence wherever he goes. Not only does he do superman, but look for his tutu, and wedding dress outfits. They are amazing! I have not seen him doing his random walks lately. I imagine he is too much of a celebrity to simply walk around town as he used to, but he’s still a great guy, and one of the best reasons to live in Midtown.