Fort Worth, Texas – For the 35th year, half-a-million lights and more than 100 illuminated floats will cover the 1.59-mile parade route and draw tens of thousands of people to Downtown Fort Worth for the XTO Energy Parade of Lights on Sunday, November 19, 2017.
Dubbed as the can’t-miss event of the holiday season, the beloved Fort Worth tradition will be traveling down a new parade route, where audiences will see spectacular, never-before-seen floats, giant illuminated balloons, antique cars, marching bands, equestrian units, horse-drawn carriages, and groups of carolers that will create the perfect “Postcard Christmas.” Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be making an appearance on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float, sponsored by parade producers, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc.
The Fort Worth community steps up year-after-year to support the XTO Energy Parade of Lights, and Fort Worth Fire Department Chief Rudy Jackson will be honored as the 2017 Parade of Lights’ grand marshal. Other confirmed participants include Mayor Betsy Price, title sponsor XTO Energy (a subsidiary of ExxonMobil), the famous wheelie-Elvi, Cowboy Santas, and more.
The full schedule of activities for the 2017 XTO Energy Parade of Lights is as follows:
- Throughout the day
- Guests are encouraged to arrive downtown early to enjoy the many shops, restaurants and amenities offered, such as:
- Book a room and stay overnight in one of downtown’s many hotels, such as the Worthington Renaissance Hotel and the Downtown Blackstone Courtyard by Marriott;
- Visit downtown retailers, such as LOFT, Coyote Urban Boutique, and H&M;
- Dine at a downtown restaurant, such as Reata, Yolk, Bird Café, and Del Frisco’s Grill; and,
- Relax in Sundance Square Plaza and enjoy the beautiful Sundance Square Christmas Tree.
- 2 p.m.
- Shuttle Service begins from Farrington Field ($3.50 per adult round trip, $5 for two people). Parking at Farrington Field is free.
- All Day – Service will be provided by the Trinity Railway Express, check trinityrailwayexpress.org for updated schedules.
- 5:30 p.m.
- Cowboy Santas begin their ride up & down the parade route to collect toy donations for children in need.
- 6 p.m.
- The 2017 XTO Energy Parade of Lights officially begins at the intersection of Weatherford and Throckmorton Streets. The parade proceeds east along Weatherford Street, turns south on Commerce Street and goes all the way to 9th Street. At 9th Street, the parade turns west, proceeds past the Convention Center to Houston Street, and then turns north on Houston Street to Weatherford Street.
- 10 p.m.
- Last bus departs for Farrington Field from the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC).
There are many opportunities to participate in the 2017 XTO Energy Parade of Lights, including:
- Reserve Street Seats
- Although the event is free to attend, participants can purchase reserved “Street Seats” online in advance, starting at $16.50. Due to the 2016 Street Seats selling out, paradegoers who want to purchase 2017 Street Seats are encouraged to “act fast.”
- Enter a Float
- Applications are now open for those interested in entering a float, performance, equestrian group, marching band/walking unit, or a specially decorated vehicle in the 2017 parade. Entry fees start at $75 for nonprofit organizations, $175 for non-commercial, and $950 for commercial businesses/organizations. The deadline to submit applications is October 13. Entry forms are available online.
- Volunteer
- Hundreds of volunteers are what make the parade a success year-after-year. Areas where volunteers are needed include hospitality, merchandise sales, parade walkers, review stand assistants and spotters, seating attendants, staging areas, volunteer and entry check-ins, and more. Volunteers can sign up online.
- Become a Sponsor
- As a 501c (3) non-profit organization, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. seeks the support of corporate sponsors and partners to help maintain the free and high-quality production of the Parade of Lights for the Fort Worth community. Sponsorship opportunities can be found online.
The official hashtag for the 2017 XTO Energy Parade of Lights is #2017ParadeOfLights. For the latest updates on the 35th annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights, visit the Parade of Lights’ online at www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW, and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ParadeOf_Lights.
History - First staged in 1983 by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., the Parade of Lights began as a means to help shift perceptions of the Central Business District. At the time, downtown stakeholders realized 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 tens of thousands in attendance today.
ABOUT THE XTO ENERGY PARADE OF LIGHTS
XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, is the Title Sponsor of the 35th annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights, which is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. Additional 2017 sponsors include Sundance Square, Hilton Fort Worth, Atmos Energy, The Cash Store, and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. Media Sponsors include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 98.7 K-LUV (KLUV-FM), 92.1 HANK FM (KTFW-FM), and 95.9 The Ranch (KFWR-FM). For more information, visit www.FortWorthParadeofLights.org, www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW, or www.Twitter.com/ParadeOf_Lights.
ABOUT XTO ENERGY INC.
A subsidiary of ExxonMobil, XTO is a leading natural gas and oil producer in North America with expertise in developing tight gas, shale gas, coal bed methane and unconventional oil resources. XTO or its affiliates operate in all of the major U.S. unconventional producing regions and Western Canada. XTO also provides support and technical services to ExxonMobil’s operations in Argentina. Last year, XTO and ExxonMobil invested $35.8 million in higher education, medical care, environmental research, and arts and civic organizations in Texas. For more information, visit www.XTOEnergy.com.