Charles RunnellsFort Myers News-Press
The Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade returns Saturday to downtown Fort Myers. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 event — and everything else happening this weekend, too.
What is the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade?
It’s one of the biggest night parades in the Southeastern United States and also the biggest and longest-running parade in Southwest Florida.
The 2023 parade will feature about 150 units, including 17 high-school marching bands and about 30 floats, says parade chairman Mike Gill.
Edison Fest history: 50 illuminating facts about the Fort Myers tradition
Last year's parade: Edison Fest grand parade lights up the night in Fort Myers
When and where is the parade?
The parade starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. It travels from Fort Myers High School to Cleveland Avenue, then travels north along Cleveland and through the streets of downtown Fort Myers.
How did the Edison parade get started?
The Edison Festival of Light is a two-week celebration that began in February 1938 as a way to honor Fort Myers' most famous winter resident, Thomas Edison. Back then, it was called the Pageant of Light.
The annual fest includes hymn sings, concerts, parades and car shows. But the biggest draw is always the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, which attracts thousands of spectators to downtown Fort Myers every year (crowd estimates go as high as about 200,000).
The Grand Parade became a night parade in 1953 in honor of Edison's invention of the commercial light bulb. Floats were decorated with lights — a tradition that continues to this day.
How long does the parade take?
The Grand Parade takes about two hours to finish. Fireworks light up the sky as the last parade unit enters downtown Fort Myers.
Who are this year’s parade marshals?
Parade organizers changed thing up this year. Instead of just one person, they’re honoring a group of Southwest Florida’s “Hurricane Heroes.”
“They’re the people who helped us get through one of the most traumatic events ever to occur in Southwest Florida,” Gill says. “It’ll give the parade goers an opportunity to wave and say thanks to all of these people."
Those honorary marshals include Sheriff Carmine Marceno, several TV meteorologists and NBC2 News “Story 2 Share” reporter Sean Martinelli, who spotlighted "neighborhood heroes" after Hurricane Ian. Many of those neighborhood heroes will also appear in the parade, Gill says.
"These are normal, everyday people like you and I who answered the call," he says. "They’re not first responders. They’re simply our neighbors who risked their own lives, in some cases, to save and help their neighbors."
All of these Hurricane Heroes will be designated as honorary marshals, Gill says. There won’t be a formal parade marshal this year since several people are sharing the honor.
“Any time you have more than one, protocol says that they’re all honorary,” he explains. “They’re all basically sharing the title.”
What are some of the other top parade attractions this year?
In addition to the marshals, other parade units this year include Florida SouthWestern State College’s pirate-ship float, LCEC’s light-bulb balloon, antique military vehicles driven by the Southwest Florida Living Historians and some out-of-state power trucks and crews who helped restore power after Ian.
There’s also a group of of Southwest Florida families — about 150 people in all — doing Mexicanfolk dances in feathered Aztec headdresses and other traditional costumes. “They’ve been very popular,” Gill says. “They put on a good show.”
What’s up with those kings and queens?
Every year, members of the Pageant of Light and the Fort Myers Woman's Community Club choose a new king and queen to rule the imaginary land of “Edisonia." Those newly crowned royals appear in the Grand Parade accompanied by princes, princesses, dukes, duch*esses and the rest of the royal court. The 12 members of the Royal Court of Edisonia are all teens and 20-somethings.
The Edison Festival of Light isn't the same thing as the Edison Pageant of Light, by the way. The Festival of Light is the nonprofit that organizes the Grand Parade and other events. The private Pageant of Light crowns the Royal Court of Edisonia every year.
What roads will be blocked?
Expect road closures along Cleveland Avenue and downtown Fort Myers for Saturday's parade. These closures begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted:
- Cleveland Avenue between Hanson and Main streets
- Edwards Drive (closed from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
- Bay Street between Heitman and Jackson streets
- First Street between Fowler and Jackson streets
- Main Street between Cleveland Avenue and Hendry Street
- Monroe Street between Main Street and Edwards Drive (closed at 7 a.m.)
- Heitman Street from Bay Street to Edwards Drive (closed at 7 a.m.)
- Broadway between Second and Bay streets
- Hendry Street between Main Street and Edwards Drive (closed from 6 a.m. to noon)
- Jackson Street between Edwards Drive and Edison Avenue
- Cortez Avenue between Del Rio and Llewellyn drives
- Llewellyn Drive between Cortez and Cleveland avenues
- Hoople Street between Jackson Street and Central Avenue
- Crawford Street between Jackson Street and Central Avenue
- Lafayette Street between Jackson Street and Central Avenue
- Royal Palm Avenue between Bay Street and Thompson
- Lee Street between Edwards Drive and Thompson/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Fowler and Heitman streets
- And the downtown boat ramp
Also, the ramp off the Caloosahatchee Bridge into downtown Fort Myers and the southbound lanes of traffic will be diverted onto McGregor Boulevard.
Police encourage those who want to attend the parade to arrive downtown prior to 5 p.m. The parking garages will be open before the parade starts and access to downtown will be very limited during the parade.
Anyone not attending should avoid the area, according to the Fort Myers Police Department. Alternate routes include the Edison Bridge, Fowler Street and Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard.
Where to park for the parade?
Parking can be tricky, so you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Many streets are closed for the parade, and street parking is limited.
Options include two parking garages in downtown Fort Myers. The Main Street garage can be accessed from both Main and Second Streets, and the Harborside garage can be accessed from Monroe or Bay streets. They cost $1 per hour or $5-$10 for the whole day.
Many churches and businesses will also let you park in their lots for a fee. Just expect to be walking several blocks.
What else is happening for Edison Fest?
There’s more happening than just the parade. Here's everything else going on this weekend:
Crafts on the River: Exhibitors display and sell handmade crafts during this non-juried event near the Caloosahatchee River. The three-day event includes jewelry, photography, paintings, sculptures and more. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17-19. Free. Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers.
Edison Parade Kick-Off Party and Music Walk: Get the party started a day early with popular country act the Ben Allen Band, DJ Memphis and more — all happening during the monthly Music Walk celebration. Music Walk features bands playing at bars and in the street throughout downtown Fort Myers. 5-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers.
Edison Festival of Light 5K Run: This 3.1-mile race travels through downtown Fort Myers. More than 1,400 people take part every year. 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Entry fee is $35. Coordinated by the Fort Myers Track Club. Race starts at the intersection of Bay and Jackson streets in downtown Fort Myers. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/EdisonFestivalofLight5K
Classic Car Show: Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars line Edwards Drive for this annual event during Crafts on the River. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. Free. Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers.
How can I find out more about the Edison Festival of Light?
For more information about the parade and the Edison Festival of Light, call 334-2999 or visit edisonfestival.org.
Connect with this reporter:Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1). You can also call at 239-335-0368.
