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February 2024

3 – Antique Car Show 9AM – 2PM
Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Each year, classic car owners and club members exhibit more than 100 cars on the Ford Lawn along the Caloosahatchee River as a tribute to Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile industry.  For more information on this event or to register please reach out to John with Hot Chili Rods via email hotchilirods@aol.com

6 – Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing 1PM & 4PM
Location: First Presbyterian Church – Downtown Fort Myers

Celebrate the Edison Festival of Light at the annual Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing. Sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships & Susan Bennett Marketing and Media. Presented by First Presbyterian Church. Canned goods and cash donations appreciated for The Soup Kitchen at Community Cooperative.

7 – Thomas Edison’s Birthday Celebration 10AM – 11AM
Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Celebrate the birthday of Thomas Edison with cake, special guests and a musical and dance performance by the students of Edison Park Elementary.

10 – STEMtastic Day of Discovery 10AM – 2PM
Location: Caloosa Sound Convention Center

STEMtastic Day of Discovery is an award-winning STEM event that provides an exciting atmosphere for children and families to experience Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts.

 

 

10 – Mutt Strutt 11AM – 3PM
Location: Centennial Park & Hendry Street

Dog lovers, families, vendors and pet agencies gather for fun, food and mutt strutt! Pooches and owners in costumes or their finest bling–even a few doggie floats mixed in! We will have wiener dog races and the Pet Parade. Click to download the Mutt Strutt info & application here.

10-11 – Edison Garden Festival 9AM – 4PM
Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Dozens of garden vendors from around the state are on hand for your shopping pleasure, as well as music, food and activities for the kids.

11 – Junior Fun Run 12PM – 1PM
Location: First Street in Downtown River District

Hundreds of young participants turn out to show their determination and pride. The Junior Fun Run is open to children in grades five and below. Click here to sign up!

11 – Junior Parade 1:30PM – 3:30PM
Location: Downtown River District

Florida’s largest youth parade showcases the talents of hundreds of Southwest Florida children and their families. Over 100 units including floats, marching bands, street performers, clowns and dignitaries parade their way around. Click here for the application.

11 – Junior Coronation & Awards After Junior Parade
Location: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Immediately following the Junior Parade, participants and family members gather at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center for awards and the highly anticipated crowning of the Junior King and Queen.

16-17 – Thomas Alva Edison Kiwanis Science & Engineering Fair 10AM – 3PM
Location: Alico Arena

Our Regional Science & Engineering Fair (RSEF) program challenges thousands of students from across Southwest Florida to go beyond their classroom studies and pursue independent project-based research.

17 – 5K Run 5:15PM START
Location: Downtown River District/Edwards Drive/US 41

Well over 1,400 participants and thousands of spectators take over the streets of the Downtown River District. Click here for info & to sign up!

17 – Grand Parade of Light 7PM – 10PM
Location: Downtown River District/Edwards Drive

Named as the largest night parade in the Southeast, the Grand Parade is a two-hour extravaganza featuring national participants & local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and much more. Click here for the application.

 

 

 

 

17 – Grand Parade of Light VIP Tent 5:30PM – Until End of Parade
Location: Downtown River District/Edwards Drive

Step into the VIP tent for an exclusive experience at the 86th annual Edison Festival of Light parade. Indulge in a delectable array of fabulous food and drinks, meticulously crafted to tantalize your taste buds. As you savor each bite, a talented DJ keeps the atmosphere alive with toe-tapping beats and infectious tunes. With VIP parade seating, you’ll have the best view on the parade route, allowing you to immerse yourself in the spectacular sights and sounds of this grand celebration. Join us in this unforgettable VIP tent experience and elevate your parade experience to a whole new level of extravagance. CLICK HERE FOR VIP TICKETS


17-18 – Crafts on the River CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Location: Caloosa Sound Amphitheater

Downtown Fort Myers is transformed into a craft lovers dream with exhibitors displaying their hand-crafts during the three-day Edison Festival event. Click here for info & to sign up!

18 – Classic Car Show CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Location: Downtown River District

Hundreds of classic vehicles line Edwards Drive for a day of nostalgia and pride. Cruise in with your classic, browse others and meet the owners. At the same time, enjoy food, beverages, and Crafts on the River.

Maps

Edison Grand Parade Rules

  1. All entries must provide family-oriented entertainment consistent with this
    celebration in honor of Thomas Edison. All Floats and Parade Units must be
    illuminated with bright and or colorful lights. Lights must be bright enough to
    be seen by all paraded goers. The Floats and Parade Units must have an
    Thomas Edison Theme, to enhance Thomas Edison achievements.
  2. NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the parade. Bottled water or canned soft drinks
    are acceptable.
  3. No Firearms or Drugs allowed by any parade participant and or on any
    Parade Float or unit.
  4. The Parade Marshals have the right to inspect all units prior to and during the
    Parade. All entries are required to always comply with parade marshal or
    police officer instruction.
  5. All vehicle entries must be covered by liability insurance to the satisfaction of
    the Parade Committee. Proof of insurance must be provided with the
    application.
  6. Motor vehicle entries will be limited to 10 vehicles per entry. The Parade
    Chairman may waive this limitation.
  7. Parade applicants shall provide on-site contact information for each person
    responsible for the entry.
  8. All entrants may be subject to City, County Fire and Safety inspections and
    code enforcement and additional fees as necessary.
  9. The use of drones is prohibited in the vicinity of the parade. The parade route
    is a “NO DRONE ZONES” and aircraft is subject to being impounded unless
    approved by the Edison Festival of Light or the Fort Myers Police
    Department.
  10. Parade units violating any of these rules may, at the discretion of the Edison
    Festival staff, be disqualified from awards and denied entry in future parades.
  11. Acts of God and Government: Both Parade Entrants and Edison Festival of
    Light, Inc. recognize that Acts of God (including weather & pandemics)
    and Acts of Third Parties (including the City of Fort Myers/Police and Fire
    Departments, State of Florida and U.S. Government, including but not limited
    to their security branches) are beyond the control these parties. To the extent
    that actions by third parties beyond the control of these parties
    (including but not limited to Acts of God/weather, pandemics, Government or
    terrorist acts) preclude or limit the operation of the Parade, or its participants,
    neither party will hold the other responsible for said actions. Both parties
    agree to abide by the regulations and requirements of the City of Fort Myers.
    If the Parade is cancelled due to an act of God/weather, pandemics or Third
    Parties that are beyond the control of the parties, Parade Entrants will not be
    entitled to a refund of their previously paid parade entrant fee.
  12. The Parade Committee reserves the right to exclude from participation, any
    entry which it considers to be advocating or promoting a particular purpose,
    principle, political gain, agenda, or message inconsistent with or contrary to
    those of the Parade.
STAGING RULES

1. All participants must enter staging area through their pre-assigned entrances. This
information will be explained in mandatory parade meeting and emailed to each
participant. Check in as directed. All participants must be aware of their group unit
number and staging location.
to you. Check in as directed. All participants must be aware of their group unit number and staging location.
2. Only vehicles that are registered as being used in the Parade will be allowed in the
staging area.
3. All materials that will be used on your entry must be inside or on the vehicle when
it enters the staging area.
area.
4. Participants shall clean up any materials or debris left in the staging area by your
unit(s). This applies particularly (but not exclusively) to units with animals.

 Section 3: Parade Rules

  1. To maintain proper spacing of participants. Bands are not to stop and perform
    in front of the reviewing stand. Marshal’s instructions to resume movement
    must be promptly followed. All units must keep pace with the unit ahead of
    them. Please close any gaps when prompted. Any unit that does not comply
    will be escorted off the parade route.
  2. Children under the age of 5 may ride on parade unit, but due to the length of
    the parade. They are not allowed to march in the parade.
  3. Parade units must continue moving until you have returned to the disband
    area. No stopping or unloading will be allowed prior to that, since this will
    cause congestion and delays in the parade. You will not be able to return to
    the staging areas.
  4. Items such as candy may be handed to children by persons walking along the
    sides of the parade unit. No throwing of items is allowed. Please use caution
    in the interest of safety for the viewing audience.
  5. No throwing of items is allowed.
  6. Drivers of motor vehicles must always remain with the vehicle.
    Dimensions: 

    According to Florida Department of Transportation guidelines, the following
    are the maximum dimensions allowed for floats entered in the Edison Grand
    Parade of Light.
    Maximum Length of a single semi-trailer is 57’4”
    Maximum Height is 13’ 6”
    Maximum Width is 102”

DISTRIBUTION OF FLYERS, PAMPHLETS, CANDY, ETC. WILL BE STRICTLY
ENFORCED!!! For the safety of all parade participants and for the safety of
spectators, TOSSING OR THROWING OF ANY items from the floats walkers and or
parade units is strictly prohibited. Walkers along parade units may hand items in
person. No Throwing! No handing items from a Parade Unit! Violators are subject to
receiving a littering citation, and/or immediate removal from the parade route.

WALKERS: Because of the length of the parade. The staff discourages small
children and adults with illnesses from walking in the parade. All walking units will be
at the discretion of the parade staff.

MUSIC & DECOR: ONLY family-friendly music and decor is permitted. NO
PROFANE, VIOLENT OR SUGGESTIVE MUSIC OR DECOR will be permitted by
walkers or on any float or tow vehicle. Violators will be removed from the parade
route immediately. Please be considerate of others!

FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Each entry must carry a fire extinguisher within the reach of
the driver and it must be TYPE 2A: 10BC 5 Pound “All Purpose”. All entries must be
flaming retardant either by the material used.