Edison Festival of Light

Children's Events - These events include a science and inventors fair for over 500 elementary, middle, and high school students in a five county area. The fairs emphasize Edison's history of contributions to science through his many inventions. Winners of the science fairs qualifty for a state competition. There is a junior parade that draws more than 6,000 participants and parents and children are encouraged to design and build their own floats for the junior parade. No entrance fees are charged for children, their families or the public. There is also a junior coronation of the junior parade winner.

Edison Festival of Lights 5K run - The 3.1 mile Race around Downtown Fort myers is the kick off event for the Edison Festival of lights Grande Parade. The event has grown over the years to the point of international notoriety. It boasts well over 1,400 participants each year with several thousand sepectators. The event is coordinated from start to finish by the Fort Myers Track Club and includes chip timing and an after event awards program.

Grand Parade and Stadium show - These are presented in honor of Thomas Alva Edison and his many achievements. They highlight local as well as national talent, bands and float entries. It has become one of the largest nighttime parades in the country. It showcases Edison's greatest invention, the light bulb, by requiring all float entries to be illuminated. It is known as the grand Parade of light and takes place annually on or around his birthday. Over ten charities and non-profit groups raised funds for their organizations through the grand parade street seating program.

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