The Grand Parade will step off from Fort Myers High School Saturday night as the 88th\u00a0annual Edison Festival of Light concludes this weekend with a crafts show, 5K and a party with food trucks and more.<\/p>\n
Thomas Edison built his winter home in Fort Myers in 1885 and throughout the 50 years that he wintered on the Caloosahatchee he dedicated both his time and support to projects and local charities. <\/p>\n
Edison passed away in 1931, and in 1938 the Edison Pageant of Light, with a coronation ball, parade, band concert, and a memorial service was held as a celebration to commemorate his achievements.<\/p>\n
Since then, the festival has morphed into two weeks of celebration.<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s festivities will begin with Crafts on the River from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, Feb. 22, along Edwards Drive.<\/p>\n
The Edison Festival of Light Party will be held from 4 -11 p.m. Feb. 21 at\u00a01811 Royal Palm Ave.\u00a0and will feature bounce houses, food trucks, and drinks.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The Edison Festival 5K Run is also Saturday with a step-off start at 5:15 p.m. The run takes place on the parade route. Registration is $35 for adults and $20 for youth. On race day the price increases to $40 for all.<\/p>\n
The Grand Parade of Light itself will begin at 7 p.m. at Fort Myers High School and finish in Downtown Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
The festival has been a tradition of local families for generations.<\/p>\n
Among them is the Taylor family. This year, Lauren Taylor, 34, is the youngest person to serve as the festival president.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of those traditions that we carried on from generation to generation. Now we are on the board and continue through it there,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n
For more than 60 years a member of the Taylor family has participated in the parade and their business, Taylor Carpet One, has entered a float in the parade for more than two decades.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s grand marshal is Sam Sirianni Jr. retired longtime football coach of Fort Myers High School.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a committee that chooses the grand marshal each year,\u201d said Taylor, with the selection then submitted to the board. \u201cIt really varies year to year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The grand marshal is someone who has had a huge impact in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s harder and harder each year. There are so many great people out there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
There is both a VIP tent experience offered and street seats available online on a first-come, first-served basis. The VIP entry will be on Hendry Street heading north towards Edwards Street.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what I enjoy the most is looking at the pure joy and excitement that it brings to each one of the spectators out there and knowing that there is a lot of work and effort that goes into it all. The overall goal is to bring it to the community and for all of us to be together,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n
The Grand Parade of Light will be streamed live. <\/p>\n
More information, including road closure times, are available at edisonfestival.org<\/a> and on social media.<\/p>\n