Media Talking Points

Talking Points for the 2007 Sundance Square Parade of Lights, Presented by CHASE and Devon Energy

Parade Producer
Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc.

Official Sponsors (as of September 24, 2007)
Sundance Square (title sponsor), Chase (presenting sponsor), Devon Energy (presenting sponsor),  XTO Energy (Holiday Fun Zone sponsor), City of Fort Worth (marketing and promotion sponsor), Coors Distributing Company (25th anniversary float sponsor and announce stand sponsor), Chesapeake Energy (announce stand sponsor), AmeriCredit (announce stand sponsor), University of Texas Arlington/Fort Worth Center (announce stand sponsor), Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Tarrant Regional Water District (float sponsor), KDMX-FM, La Preciosa, KISS-FM, KEGL-FM, KDGE-FM, Starbucks Coffee Company (float sponsor), Courtyard by Marriott/Blackstone Hotel and Witherspoon Advertising and Public Relations.

History
First staged in 1983 (25th annual).

Theme
”Silver Bells for a Silver Anniversary”

Parade Route
From corner of Belknap and Taylor streets, east on Belknap to Commerce, then south on Commerce to 6th. Next, west on 6th to Houston, and finally north on Houston to Weatherford.

Reserved Seats
On sale now online, $7 for adults, $5 for kids, Family Packs available for $20 (4 tickets).

Schedule of Activities:

  • 2:00 PM - Holiday Fun Zone presented by XTO Energy opens at the Chisholm Trail Parking area, between 3rd and 4th Streets downtown.
  • 4:00 PM - Come early to get a great seat, enjoy some hot chocolate, and visit the shops of Sundance Square (or purchase reserved seating).
  • 5:45 PM - Cowboy Santas step off and travel along the parade route to collect toys for needy children. Bring a toy!
  • 6:00 PM - Parade begins featuring over 100 illuminated entries.
    • Grand Marshals - Johnny and Betty Rutherford
    • Parade floats from Sundance Square, Chase Bank, Devon Energy, Dallas Cowboys, Bell Helicopter, XTO Energy, Starbucks, Clear Channel Radio, Tarrant Regional Water District and, of course, Santa's arrival on the Downtown Fort Worth Inc. float!
    • Entries featuring community groups and supporters from around Fort Worth.
    • And much, much more!
  • 7:10 PM - Santa begins his trip around the parade route on a specially designed float.
  • 7:35 PM - Lighting of the 56' Fort Worth Christmas Tree in Sundance Square, on Main Street between 3rd and 4th Streets, featuring the Texas Ballet Company and over 4,000 lights.
  • 7:45 PM - Photos with Santa, benefiting Fort Worth Sister Cities program, continuing until 10:00 PM.
  • 8:00 PM - "A Christmas Story" movie on a giant screen in the Chisholm Trail parking lot.  Bring your own chair!

    • Highlights
    More than 100 brightly illuminated entries, including:

    o Floats sponsored by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives (carrying Santa Claus and several of his elves), Chase, the Dallas Cowboys, Starbucks, City of Fort Worth Promotion Fund, Tarrant Regional Water District and more.
    o Nine marching bands.
    o Equestrian units, horse-drawn carriages, restored antique cars and a host of costumed characters.

    Transporation/Parking
    After 4 p.m., free bus service by “The T” along any of its regular routes.

    For complete parking information please go to www.fortworthparking.com.

    To Volunteer
    Urgent need for parade marshals, float drivers, mascots, review-stand spotters, etc.
    Contact Kari Brantley at Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, 817-336-2787, or kari@dfwi.org