Media

Talking Points for the 2011 Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights, Presented by CHASE

Parade Producer
Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., whose mission is to make Downtown Fort Worth a vibrant place to live, work and play.

Press and Media Contact
Claire Bloxom, Concussion Advertising and Public Relations

Sponsors
Chesapeake Energy (title sponsor), CHASE (presenting sponsor), Sundance Square, XTO Energy (Holiday Fun Zone sponsor), Coors Distributing Company (float sponsor and announce stand sponsor), GM Financial (announce stand sponsor), Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KDMX-FM, RANCH 95.9, KISS-FM, KEGL-FM, KDGE-FM, Courtyard by Marriott/Blackstone Hotel.

History
First staged in 1983 (29th annual) to help Fort Worth celebrate family and togetherness in a spirited way. It has grown to become one of the top Illuminated Parades in the country.

Theme
"Christmas Delights!"

As of 9:00 PM on Thursday, November 24, the reserved seats have sold out, but there are plenty of areas available throughout the parade route for free viewing!  Come early and enjoy shopping or a bite to eat, and avoid the traffic.

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

Schedule of Activities:

  • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Holiday Fun Zone presented by XTO Energy opens at the Chisholm Trail Parking area, between 3rd and 4th Streets downtown.
  • Main Stage Entertainment:
  • 2:00 - 2:20 Christmas Celebrations – Members of the All Star Dance Academy will perform to various Christmas songs.
  • 2:30 - 2:50 Sounds of the Season – The Allison Williams group will sing holiday songs.
  • 3:00 - 3:50 Holiday Fantasy Express – Holiday Fantasy Express is a celebration of Christmas like no other. Watch the World International Texas D/FW Danzerettes signature eye-high kicks and difficult precision choreography to such Award-Winning show stopping dance numbers to various Christmas carols along with some furry friends from Santa’s Workshop – Hoss the Wolf, Drake the Dog and Valscar the Tiger and company as they take you on a magical Toe-Tapping Broadway Extravaganza with Holiday Fantasy Express.
  • 4:00 - 4:45 The Invincible Czars' Holiday Show - In what has become a holiday tradition, Austin adventure rockers, The Invincible Czars, bring a cavalcade of music and merriment to stages across Texas every year with their whimsical and often wacky rock interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
  • 4:45 - 5:15 Whoville Christmas – Performing Artist Network brings you Whoville Christmas
  • 5:15 - 6:00 The Nutcracker Reprise (and more) - Austin's Invincible Czars, featuring a rock version of The Nutcracker Suite
  • 4:30 PM - Come early to get a great seat, enjoy some hot chocolate or delicious fare from mobile operations of the Chop House, visit the shops of Sundance Square (or purchase reserved seating), or enjoy a leisurely meal in any of our Downtown restaurants.  Watch for the Wheelie-ing Elvi around the route before the parade begins!
  • 6:00 PM - Parade begins featuring over 100 illuminated entries.
    • Grand Marshal - Mayor Betsy Price
    • 2011 Parade entries include - Chesapeake Energy, CHASE, XTO Energy and, of course, Santa's arrival on the Downtown Fort Worth Inc. float!
    • Entries featuring community groups and supporters from around Fort Worth.
    • Local personalities from around Fort Worth on our announcer stands!
  • 7:00 PM - Santa begins his trip around the parade route on a specially designed float.
  • END of the parade - Lighting of the Sundance Square Christmas Tree on Main Street between 3rd and 4th Streets, featuring a skit from downtown's own 4-Day Weekend comedy group.
  • 8:00 PM - High-Definition broadcast of the Parade of Lights on TXA-21, followed by an encore broadcast on Christmas Eve at 9:00 PM
    • Photos with Santa, benefiting Fort Worth Sister Cities youth scholarship programs, continuing until 10:00 PM.
    • Holiday Movie "Polar Express," featuring the voice of Tom Hanks, will be shown on a giant screen in the Chisholm Trail parking lot.  Bring your own chair or take your reserved chair over to the movie!

Transporation/Parking
After 4 p.m., free bus service by “The T” along any of its regular routes.
Parking information online at www.FortWorthParking.com

Note: Spur 280 off of I-35 will close at 4:30 PM, and Henderson Street will close at White Settlement and at 5th Street at 5:30 PM.

For a complete information concerning our Transportation and Parking, click here.

For a map of downtown parking areas and parade route, cllick here.

To Volunteer
There's a need for parade marshals, float drivers, mascots, review-stand spotters, etc.
Contact us at Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, 817-336-2787, x24 or email us.

Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc.
777 Taylor Street, Ste. 100
Fort Worth, TX 76102