FORT WORTH, Texas – November 3, 2008 - The Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights rings in the holidays Friday, Nov. 28 with a glittering procession of floats, music, marchers and good cheer that will set the city’s heart aglow.
The 26th annual parade, themed “The Sights and Sounds of the Season,” is a sparkling promenade of illuminated floats, marching bands and marching groups that light up the night for all who need a little Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.
With Texas Rangers stars Jim Sundberg and Steve Buechele as its Grand Marshals, the parade will roll from the corner of Belknap and Throckmorton streets at 6 p.m. and lead merrymakers to the base of Fort Worth’s 54-foot Christmas tree in Sundance Square, where Santa and his elves wait.
“The Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights is one of the most anticipated events in town and a holiday tradition the community treasures,” said Richard Ruddell, president and executive director of the T as well as festival and events committee chair for parade producer Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. “Families can enjoy a whole day in downtown Fort Worth and celebrate the holidays in a way they’ll remember all year.”
The event sparkles against an indigo night sky, but holiday fun before and after offers families and couples alike the chance to make a day and a night of this holiday affair.
Holiday Fun Zone
Warm up for the parade at the Holiday Fun Zone presented by XTO Energy on Main Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. Children’s holiday-themed crafts, food and entertainment start at 2 p.m. and last until bedtime.
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring funny man Jim Carrey will be shown at 8 p.m., and families should bring chairs for the screening.
Wishes for Santa
Santa Claus and his elves arrive at 7:30 p.m. to light the city’s tree, then stay to hear the wishes of all ages. Surrounded by elves, the man in red presides from his illuminated sled in a picture-perfect setting. Photos with Santa are a keepsake, and they benefit the Fort Worth Sister Cities program. Santa’s appearance and the Fort Worth Christmas tree are a gift from Sundance Square.
Take your seats
Parade fans typically come early to stake out their place along the parade route, arriving up to two hours before the parade to pick a spot, but there’s an alternative. Reserved seating returns this year for those who place a premium on comfort. Reserved or Street Seats are available on both sides of the street along the route, providing affordable, up-close views of the entire parade. Free viewing areas nonetheless remain plentiful on sidewalks just behind the seats.
Street Seats are $10 for adults, $7 for children and seniors, and $28 for a family pack of four seats. Go to www.fortworthparadeoflights.org for purchases of up to 24 tickets.
Star Gazing: 2008 Grand Marshals
Six-time Gold Glove Award winner and Texas Rangers executive Jim Sundberg and fan favorite and former third baseman Steve Buechele represent the Texas Rangers’ legacy as parade Grand Marshals. They’ll lead the procession, with the Texas Rangers float and Dallas Cowboys entries, among others, following in the line-up.
A pretty package: Parade of Lights and “Home for the Holidays!”
Make a night of it: package the parade experience with the Fort Worth Symphony's classic Christmas concert, "Home for the Holidays!” Packages include reserved seating along the parade route and tickets to the evening's performance of “Home for the Holidays!” at Bass Hall immediately after the Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights. Call 817-665-6000 for the “Home for the Holidays!” parade and concert package.
Parade route
This year’s parade will start at 6 p.m. on Belknap Street at Throckmorton Street. From there, it will proceed east to Commerce Street, then south on Commerce to 6th Street, west on 6th to Houston, and then north on Houston past the city’s Christmas Tree and Santa’s landing pad to Weatherford Street.
Give a little
There’s no better way to kick off the season of giving than with the gift of an unwrapped toy for Cowboy Santas’ annual collection. Be ready at 5:45 p.m., when Cowboy Santas walk the parade route collecting toys and warming up the crowd for the parade that follows on their heels.
A Gift to North Texas
The Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights is presented by CHASE and supported by Sundance Square, Coors Distributing Company, XTO Energy, the Star-Telegram, AmeriCredit, Courtyard by Marriott/Blackstone Hotel, KSCS 96.3, Platinum 96.7, and Clear Channel Radio stations 106.1 Kiss FM, Lone Star 92.5, 102.1 The Edge, 97.1 The Eagle, and Mix 102.9. The Fort Worth Christmas Tree is presented courtesy of Sundance Square, with carbon-neutral power provided by Green Mountain Energy.
Parade of Lights History
First staged in 1983 by Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., the Parade of Lights began as a way to brighten perceptions of the Central Business District. At that time, downtown stakeholders realized that a unifying event like 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 a tradition more than a quarter-century old, this family-oriented event ushers in the holiday season in Downtown, a district that is the envy of the nation and provides an environment where close to 96 percent of the available office space is occupied, where downtown living opportunities are available and affordable, and where people from throughout the Metroplex gather to have a wonderful time in the restaurants, clubs and entertainment facilities.
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