Below is an overview of the events for the 2008 Festival - We are now in the process of updating for the 2009 events!


Join us from January 26th to February 17th, 2008 in our host City of Fort Myers, Florida for our 70th Annual Celebration of the Edison Festival of Light. Founded in 1938 as a celebration to commemorate Thomas Edison's life of achievement, the Edison Festival of Light has grown to become one of the largest annual celebrations in the State of Florida.

Our 2008 Celebrations begin on Saturday, January 26th with the 51st Thomas Alva Edison Kiwanis Science & Engineering Fair presented by Florida Power & Light. Formerly known as the Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs, the 2008 Day of Discovery brings Elementary, Middle and High School students to the beautiful Harborside Convention Center to compete at a regional level in science and innovation with projects that range from astronomy and engineering to chemistry and botany. Visitors to the 2008 Edison Day of Discovery are invited to bring their family to the Day of Discovery Interactive Family Area set up in Centennial Park to enjoy games, presentations and educational exhibits presented by regional science and educational organizations.

Join us on Friday, February 8th and Saturday, February 9th for the 2008 Edison Light Up the Town Celebrations. Formerly known as the Block Party, this exceptional event features continuous musical entertainment including national acts and regional bands throughout each evening of the celebration. Enjoy a great variety of regional cuisine and beverages in one of the most beautiful settings along the Caloosahatchee River in Centennial Park. National performing acts presented each evening on the Edison Festival of Light Stage.

Sunday, February 10th, guests are invited to the join the celebrations at the Festival's annual Junior Run, Junior Parade and Coronation. This special day begins with races for school age children with staggered starts for different age groups. Fifth graders run a mile; fourth-graders run three-quarters of a mile, with the youngest participants running 50 yards. Immediately following the Junior Run at 2:30 pm, one of Fort Myers most anticipated family events takes place; the Junior Parade. A mini-version of the Grand Parade with no age limit for participation, the Junior Parade has over 2,000 participants and draws an audience in excess of 10,000 to view family floats, pulled wagons, strollers, bicycles and local high school marching bands. This special day of celebration closes with the Junior Coronation and Awards Ceremonies where parade participant winners are announced and the Junior King and Queen of Edisonia are Crowned.

The final weekend of the Festival opens with the presentation of Crafts on the River, a large juried craft event presented beside the Caloosahatchee River in Centennial Park. We invite guests to join over 100 crafters in the transformation of this riverfront location into a crafters extravaganza featuring quilts, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, pottery, flags, stained glass and much more!!

The Festival's 5K Race is presented prior to the largest Night Parade in Southwest Florida, with over 1,000 runners from across North America racing the streets of Downtown Fort Myers through a cheering crowd of onlookers.

From 5 - 9 pm, the Edison Festival of Light Stadium and Fireworks Show is presented at the Fort Myers Stadium. Gates open at 5 pm, featured national entertainment at 6 pm followed by Fireworks, which precede the entrance of the Grand Parade. Attending guests enjoy the best seats in the Town to view the Grande Parade 'Victory Lap'.

Join an estimated crowd of over 250,000 guests who annually attend the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade to view the Largest Evening Parade in the Southeast. This exceptional two-hour extravaganza of color and pageantry features some of Florida's top marching bands, floats, dance troupes and drill teams. The Grand Parade begins at Edwards Drive and Hendry Street in Downtown Fort Myers and travels down Cleveland Avenue to Fort Myers High School Stadium. The festival website: www.edisonfestival.org will be updated on a regular basis. Please visit the sight throughout the next few weeks to learn more about the featured events of the 70th Edison Festival of Light.