Edison Festival of Light celebrates 70 years

The 70th Annual Celebration of the Edison Festival of Light begins Saturday, Jan. 26 and runs through Feb. 17. Founded in 1938 as a celebration to commemorate Thomas Edison's life of achievement, the Edison Festival of Light has grown to become one of the largest annual celebrations in the State of Florida.

Here's a list of events:

EDISON DAY OF DISCOVERY Presented by Florida Power and Light

Where: Harborside Event Center When: 1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Celebrating 51 years, this event showcases over 800-student finalists from Southwest Florida. Exhibits include everything from botany, engineering, zoology and medicine.

This year's special guest is Dr. Robert J. Lang an avid student of origami for over thirty years is now recognized as one of the world's leading masters of the art, with over 400 designs catalogued and diagrammed, Dr. Lang is one of the pioneers of the cross-disciplinary marriage of origami with mathematics. He has consulted on applications of origami to engineering problems ranging from air-bag design to expandable space telescopes.

JAN. 26

DISCOVERY VILLAGE Presented by Kraft Construction

Where: East Centennial Park When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Explore the hands on exhibits of local museums and attractions and discover the science of vehicles of all types and sizes.

FEB. 8

LIGHT UP THE TOWN

Where: Edwards Drive - Downtown Fort Myers

When: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Cost: $5, children 10 and under free

For VIP seating visit www.edisonfestival. org or call 334-2999

Continuous entertainment throughout the evening including national and local bands, street performers, family fun area and community stage. Various food and beverages round out the party under the stars!

FEB. 9

LIGHT UP THE TOWN Presented by State Farm Insurance

Where: Edwards Drive - Downtown Fort Myers

When: Open till 11 p.m.

Cost: $5, children 10 and under free

For VIP seating visit www.edisonfestival. org or call 334-2999

Enjoy a day of fun and entertainment in the Taylor Carpet One family area. At 5 p.m. enjoy the 1st annual Bed Race, a joint event of Edison Festival & Edison Pageant, then the evening continues with entertainment including national and local bands, street performers with various food and beverages rounding out the party under the stars!

For details on how to enter the Bed Race call, 334-2999

For VIP seating visit www.edisonfestival. org or call 334-2999

FEB. 10

JR. RUN

Where: Edwards Drive - Downtown Fort Myers

When: 1 p.m.

Cost: $5 runners fee, spectators are Free

Runners from tots to 5th grade run staggered from 50 yards to 1 mile.

Junior Parade presented by Lite 93.7 Where: Downtown Fort Myers When: 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

This family event is a mini-version of the Grand Parade and has no age limit for participation. The Parade includes family built floats, wagons, strollers, bikes, schools, scouts and marching bands.

Registration dates and information online at www.edisonfestival.org

For VIP seating visit www.edisonfestival. org or call 334-2999

Junior Coronation - Parade Awards Ceremony

Where: Harborside Event Center When: 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

All entrants in the parade gather to see who has won an award! Any child registered in the parade between the ages of 5 - 7 can be crowned King or Queen. Visit www. edisonfestival.org or call 334-2999 for more information.

Family Fun Area

Where: Edwards Drive - Downtown Fort Myers

When: noon - 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Entry is free with ticketed rides

Family games, children's amusement rides and fun foods.

FEB. 13

MUSIC FROM THE HEART Where: Edison Mall & Bell Tower Shops When: 5:45 p.m.

Cost: Free

Here the beautiful music of local elementary, middle and high school students while shopping for Valentines Day.

FEBRUARY 15-17

CRAFTS ON THE RIVER Where: Centennial Park When: Friday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Crafters exhibit everything from quilts, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, pottery and flags.

FEB. 16

5K RACE presented by LCEC Where: Downtown Fort Myers

When: 5:45 p.m.

Cost: Entries are $10 - $25, online at www. ftmyerstrackclub.com or call 334-2999.

Celebrating 30 years of racing in front of thousands of cheering crowds awaiting the start of the Grand Parade.

GRAND PARADE Where: Downtown Fort Myers

When: 7 p.m.

Celebrating 70 years with two hours of floats, marching bands, special guest and fun. The parade begins in downtown Fort Myers and travels south down Cleveland Avenue to Edison Stadium in Fort Myers High School.

For VIP seating visit www.edisonfestival. org or call 334-2999

STADIUM & FIREWORKS SHOW

Where: Edison Stadium - Fort Myers High School

When: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Cost: Adults $15, Children 10 & under $5

The best seat in town for viewing the Grand Parade and while waiting enjoy national entertainment, a Southwest Airlines Ticket Giveaway and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Fireworks.

For VIP seating or group seating visit www.edisonfestival.org or call 334-2999

FEB. 17

CLASSIC CORVETTE CAR SHOW

Where: Edwards Drive - Downtown Fort Myers

When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost: Canned food donation for Harry Chapin Food Bank. Spectators are Free. Edwards drive will be lined with Classic Corvettes from every era.