The 2012 Grand Parade is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at 7:00pm. It begins at the Fort Myers High Edison Stadium and ends at Fort Myers River District Downtown. The extraordinary parade is held in Thomas Edison’s winter home, Ft. Myers FL. It is an annual event for three old-fashioned, fun-filled, educational weeks dedicated to the genius of Thomas Alva Edison. There are many sanctioned and scheduled exhibits and events held during the three week period which promote art, culture, and history of the area. The 5K Run is just one of the special events. These happenings are wonderful for family outings as they are as exciting to people of all ages.
The parade is a two-hour long show and is viewed by thousands of residents and visitors alike. It is the most exciting and most attended festival in Southwest Florida. Besides the beautiful floats, the parade features local and national participants and marching bands. The week prior, you may enjoy watching the largest youth parade in Florida. You will be able to view the royalty float in the Grand Parade honoring the newly crowned Junior King and Queen. The Festival of Lights Grand Parade and all the other events and exhibits are free. However, tickets for seating are offered as a fund-raising opportunity. You may choose to secure a seating ticket. Street Tickets are $10 each although children six and under are free if held on your lap. The chairs are placed in the street by various non-profit organizations such as Boy Scouts of America or American Red Cross. The Edison Festival of Light office sells VIP tickets. These tickets include seating, food, and drink. We go to this parade year after year and it is always a thrilling event. We usually buy street tickets. However, when we go early enough, we get the VIP tickets. It is great fun to enjoy all of the entertainment during the afternoon in the festival spirit until parade time at seven. All this and fireworks too, it doesn’t get much better!
INSIDER TIPS:
It is really worthwhile to buy seats for the parade. We usually take my mother who is 80 and she appreciates getting to sit down to enjoy this part of the wonderful Edison festival.
For more information, contact the Festival directly at info@edisonfestival.org or call (239) 334-2999
