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For more than 89 years, Southwest Florida has come together to celebrate the legacy of Thomas Edison with light, music, tradition, and one of the region’s largest parades. Join us this February for a celebration the whole family will remember.
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade

February 20, 2027, 7:00PM – 11:00PM

Edison Festival of Light Junior Parade

February 14, 2027, 1:30PM – 3:30PM

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.