"Street Seats" Tickets On Sale for 34th Annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights in Downtown Fort Worth
August 17,2016
The 34th annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights will ring in the holiday season in Downtown Fort Worth on Sunday evening, November 20, 2016. “The Melodies of Christmas” themed parade will feature the 1.58-mile parade route covered in over half million lights and more than 100 floats.
What began in 1983 with a crowd of only 25,000 spectators and 25 floats has grown to become Fort Worth’s most beloved holiday tradition and Texas' largest illuminated holiday procession. Year-after-year, North Texas families gather to experience the melodies of energetic marching bands, 100+ professionally-designed floats (each with more than 12,000 lights), sparkling antique cars, precision equestrian units, festive horse-drawn carriages, and carolers spreading Christmas cheer along the parade route. The night will conclude with Santa and Mrs. Claus appearing on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float, sponsored by parade producers, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc.
There are many opportunities to participate in the 2016 XTO Energy Parade of Lights, including:
Reserve “Street Seats”
The parade’s popular reserved “Street Seats” are now available for purchase, and, due to the 2015 Street Seats selling out weeks before the event, paradegoers who want to purchase 2016 Street Seats are encouraged to “act fast.” Prices for all Street Seats remain the same as previous years and are available for sale online now.
Those interested in front row or Street Seats can view the seating chart online, as well as the added sections of the extremely popular "Gold Seats," which feature padded chairs or bleachers, hot/cold non-alcoholic beverages, and private portable restroom facilities. Discounts are also available for seniors (60 and older) and children (12 and younger), as well as for the purchase of Family Fun Packs (four tickets purchased at one time). Infants, as long as they can sit in a lap, will not need a reserved seat.
New for 2016 are the “Platinum Seats” at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel, which feature tiered seating along the west side of Houston Street. Starting at $85, the Platinum Seats will include food and beverages from the hotel’s à la carte menu, valet parking, access to hotel restrooms, private reserved reception space, a champagne toast, and cash bar access.
All reserved seating options are available for sale online at www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org/Parade-Info/Street-Seats/.
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 2016 parade. Entry fees start at $65 for nonprofit organizations, $125 for non-commercial, and $950 for commercial businesses/organizations. The deadline to submit applications is October 14, and notices will go out to qualifying participants via email by October 21. Entry forms are available online at www.fortworthparadeoflights.org/participate/apply-online/.
Volunteer
Hundreds of Parade of Lights volunteers are what makes the parade a success year-after-year. Areas where volunteers are needed include the hospitality sections, 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 at www.fortworthparadeoflights.org/participate/volunteer/.
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. Funds are necessary to offset the costs of production, including police barricades, volunteer recognition, advertising, and float construction, as well as to provide scholarships for the nonprofit organizations involved. Sponsorship opportunities, levels and benefits can be found online, here: www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org/Sponsors.
Pre-Parade Festivities
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, shuttle services will take paradegoers from Farrington Field to Downtown Fort Worth. Before the parade, Downtown Fort Worth will be filled with joyful holiday melodies, energetic traveling entertainment, festive décor, and jolly good fun for guests to experience. The Cowboy Santas will also be collecting unwrapped toys throughout the day to brighten the holidays of children in need. Arriving early gives parade-goers a chance to find the perfect spot to view the parade while getting into the spirit with photo opportunities and holiday cheer.
The official hashtag for the 2016 XTO Energy Parade of Lights is #2016ParadeOfLights. For the latest updates on the 34th 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.