Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights will celebrate 31 years in Downtown Fort Worth THIS Friday, November 29, 2013. With tens of thousands of North Texans expected to attend, there's no doubt fun times will be had by your whole family, including your grumpy granny!
First staged in 1983, Fort Worth’s signature parade has grown to become Texas' largest illuminated holiday procession, with nearly 100 professionally designed-and-produced floats (each with more than 12,000 lights), brilliant antique cars, lively marching bands, precision equestrian units, decorated horse-drawn carriages and casts of strolling carolers prancing through the 1.5-mile parade route.
Some of my favorites are the novelty entries such as the DFW Unicycle Club’s UniPsychos, the world-famous Wheelie-ing Elvi and the Ft. Worth Delorean Owners Association which will all don lights for the season’s regalia to celebrate this year’s theme of “Our Christmas Traditions!" The entries are competing for coveted titles in their respective categories (such as the People's Choice Award and Best in Class) and the judges panel consists of several city dignitaries and community leaders, including SoFortWorthIt! YES, We are judging in the parade this year!
The parade’s incredibly popular reserved seating program, “Street Seats,” is back, and brand-new for 2013 are “Gold Seats,” which include complimentary, non-alcoholic beverages, padded chairs and private portable restroom facilities.
Throughout the day guests are encouraged to take advantage of and enjoy the wonderful activities and programs Downtown has to offer. Come early to get a great seat, enjoy some hot chocolate or a leisurely meal, and visit the shops through the new Sundance Square Plaza…view the beautiful Sundance Square Christmas Tree, or make reservations at one of the 40+ restaurants in Downtown...including one of my new faves, Del Frisco's Grille.
Holiday Fun Zone presented by XTO Energy in General Worth Square kicks off at 2:00 pm (located on Main Street between 8th and 9th Streets), where attendees can enjoy entertainment, children’s holiday craft making, lighted parade merchandise, and more.
The “Cowboys Santas” volunteers will again be accepting donations (either cash or unwrapped toys for up to age 12) for underprivileged children in the Holiday Fun Zone, as well as in the food and beverage areas.
Returning for its second year is the Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa “Night of Lights Fitness Walk,” a 1.58-mile walk around the parade route in front of thousands of spectators prior to the beginning of the parade (appx 5:40 p.m.). Registration includes a lighted baton, as well as reserved seats at the walk’s conclusion.
The 2013 Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights officially begins at Belknap and Throckmorton Streets, then proceeds east along Belknap Street, turns south on Commerce Street and goes all the way to 9th Street. At 9th, the parade turns west, proceeds past the Convention Center to Houston Street, and finally turns north on Houston all the way to Weatherford Street.
After the parade is finished, holiday movie favorite, “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring Jim Carrey, will be shown on a large screen in General Worth Square. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own chairs or take their reserved “Street Seats” chairs over to the square.
HISTORY
First staged in 1983 by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., the Parade of Lights began as a means to help change perceptions of the Central Business District. At that time, Downtown stakeholders realized that a unifying event such as the Parade of Lights would provide an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to see Downtown as a place of celebration, entertainment, fun and relaxation. Now known as one of the top illuminated parades in the U.S., it has grown from 25 entries and a crowd of 25,000 in 1983, to nearly 100 entries and thousands in attendance today.
ABOUT THE 2013 CHESAPEAKE ENERGY PARADE OF LIGHTS
Chesapeake Energy is the Title Sponsor of the 31st annual Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights, which is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. and presented by CHASE. Supporting sponsors include Coors Distributing Company, XTO Energy, Sundance Square GM Financial, Atmos Energy, and Frost Bank. Media Sponsors include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KTVT-TV / CBS 11, KTXA-TV / Channel 21, KLUV-FM / 98.7 K-LUV, KTFW-FM / 92.1 HANK FM, and KFWR-FM / 95.9 The Ranch.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH INITIATIVES, INC.
Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization formed in 1988 to complement the work of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and the Public Improvement District by providing a funding pathway for charitable, educational and public-purpose activities, such as community festivals, residential development and park management. Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. produces the annual MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival and the annual Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights. These events have an economic impact of more than $27 million annually and attract thousands of visitors to Downtown Fort Worth each year.
Thank you Brian Luenser for your amazing photos!!!
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