Edison Festival of Light Announces Schedule +VIDEO
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FORT MYERS, FL - December 15, 2016: It is time to "Illuminate. Innovate. Celebrate." in Southwest Florida. The Edison Festival of Light, Southwest Florida's largest and longest running festival announces its official event schedule. "The 79th Edison Festival brings together the inventions and innovations of Thomas Alva Edison while celebrating our history and culture here in Fort Myers and southwest Florida from February 11 – 19," said Kevin Anderson, Board President.
All festival event details are listed on the Edison Festival of Light website (www.edisonfestival.org). Official events include:
STEMtastic Day of Discovery – February 11, 2017 from 10 am – 3 pm in Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park. The largest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) event in the region has over 7,500 participants create and learn through hands-on experiments to show how science is involved in our everyday lives. This free event is produced in conjunction with the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival – February 11, 2017 - 2 pm – 9 pm Edwards Drive, downtown Fort Myers. Local craft beer and epicureans will delight in tasting some of Southwest Florida's creations while listening to local bands. Admission is free.
Mutt Strutt – Feb. 11, 2017 – 3 pm – 6 pm – Edwards Drive and Hendry, downtown Fort Myers. Bring your favorite pooch and join in the festivities to celebrate our canine friends. A parade and costume contest will take place at 5 pm. Canine registration to participate in the festivities is $10.
Junior Fun Run – Feb. 12, 2017 - 11 am registration – First and Jackson Streets – Fort Myers. Designed for the children, this fun run is for kids between the ages of 2 and 10. Registration is $7 per child and includes a t-shirt.
Junior Parade – Feb. 12, 2017 - 2:30 pm First Street and throughout downtown Fort Myers. The Junior Parade showcases the creativity and talent of area children and their family as they parade through downtown, including proceeding down historic First Street. The parade features more than 100 units including floats, clowns, bands and dignitaries. Free admission.
Crafts on the River – Feb. 17 – 19, 2017 – 10 am – 5 pm Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm Sunday – Centennial Park. Join local and national craft and vintage vendors as they showcase their talent and wares throughout Centennial Park. Kids' activities and craft demonstrations will take place throughout each day. Free admission.
Parade Celebration – Feb. 17, 2017 - 5 pm – 9 pm and Feb. 18, 2017, 11 am – 7 pm, Edwards Drive, downtown Fort Myers. Start the celebration for the Grand Parade of Light as we kick off the weekend as part of the Music Walk on Friday and continue throughout Saturday. Listen to bands, disc jockeys and local talent while imbibing in your favorite beverages and munch on various foods that celebrate Southwest Florida and your favorite traditional festival food items. Free admission.
Edison Festival of Light 5K – Feb. 18, 2017, 5:45 pm Centennial Park, Fort Myers. Join 1,500 participants in this sanctioned race that has earned national recognition thanks to its rich history, list of participants and thousands of cheering fans. Participants race along the Grand Parade route and cross the finish line in time for the parade to begin. Registration is $25 until Feb. 11, $30 Feb. 12-17, and $40 race day and includes a t-shirt.
Grand Parade of Light – Feb. 18, 2017 – 7 pm – 10 pm, Fort Myers. Join us along with 200,000 spectators for the largest illuminated night parade in the Southeast. Marvel at the floats, balloons, bands, and specialty units as they make their way along the 2 mile parade route from Fort Myers High School through downtown Fort Myers. Street seats are available for purchase for $10. VIP Tickets to view the parade at Harborside Event Center are $55 for food and beverages and indoor and outdoor seating.
Classic Car Show – Feb. 19, 2017 – 10 am – 3 pm, Edwards Drive, Fort Myers. Celebrate classic cars and hot rods that include antiques, muscle cars and more. Free admission.
Designed to "Illuminate. Innovate. Celebrate." , the Edison Festival of Light, Inc. honors Thomas Alva Edison's contributions to mankind including Southwest Florida, and seeks to improve the community by education and activities relating to Edison's works and values. Sponsors include City of Fort Myers, Florida Power and Light, Budweiser, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau, Family Thrift Center, LCEC, MedExpress Urgent Care, Morgan & Morgan, Downtown Property Owner's Association, Wells Fargo, Applebee's, Pepsi, Lipman Produce, Liberty Tax Service, Rasmussen College, B&I Contractors, Chico's FAS Inc., and Florida Vacation Auction. For more information, visit www.edisonfestival.org or call 239-334-2999. Become a fan by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/edisonfestival) and Twitter and Instagram (@edisonfestival). The Edison Festival of Light is a member of the Florida Festivals and Events Association and the International Festivals and Events Association.
