If you’re going to Saturday’s Edison Fest grand parade, you’ll probably want to get there early. Streets along the parade route start closing as early as 2:30 p.m., and parking spots fill up quickly.
The parade starts at about 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, and travels along Cleveland Avenue and through the downtown Fort Myers area, including portions of Jackson, Main, First and Second streets and surrounding roadways.
But other events, including Edison Festival of Light 5K Run, start even earlier.
Road closures planned for Edison Fest parade in downtown Fort Myers
The Caloosahatchee Bridge will be closed at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Fort Myers Police Department.
Cleveland Avenue will be closed to traffic along the parade route from 2:30-11 p.m. That closure extends from downtown Fort Myers to Llewellyn Drive.
Detours will be in place, and festival volunteers and law enforcement will be there to redirect traffic.
“Plan ahead for temporary road closures in downtown Fort Myers…” Edison Fest organizers said in a Feb. 17 news release. “Road closures will begin as early as 2:30 p.m. to accommodate event setup, the Edison Festival of Light 5K Run, and the Grand Parade. The 5K will take place from 5:15-7 p.m. The Grand Parade will follow immediately after, beginning at 7 p.m.”
Parade participants and spectators are encouraged to park outside the parade route and arrive early.
What roads will be blocked for the Edison Fest grand parade?
Expect road closures along Cleveland Avenue and downtown Fort Myers for Saturday’s parade. Some downtown Fort Myers roads close as early as 6 a.m.
Those annual closures usually include:
Also, the ramp off the Caloosahatchee Bridge into downtown Fort Myers and the southbound lanes of traffic is usually diverted onto McGregor Boulevard.
Where can you park for the parade?
Parking can be tricky, so you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Most of downtown Fort Myers’ streets will be closed for the parade.
Options include two parking garages in downtown Fort Myers. The Main Street garage can be accessed from both Main and Second streets, and the Harborside garage can be accessed from Monroe or Bay streets. They typically cost $1 per hour or up to $10 for the whole day, although prices can increase for special events.
Police always encourage parade attendees to arrive in downtown well before 5 p.m. Access to downtown will be very limited during the parade.
Many churches and businesses will also let you park in their lots for a fee. Just expect to be walking several blocks.
EDISON FEST 2026 EVENTS
Here’s more about the 2026 Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade and other festival events happening this weekend:
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade
The gigantic, two-hour parade is considered to be the biggest night parade in the Southeastern United States. Expect local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and much more. This year’s grand marshal is Fort Myers sports legend Sam Sirianni Jr., who retired last year as longtime football coach for Fort Myers High. The honorary grand marshal is Fort Myers native and world champion boxer Tiara Brown. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Free (although various local nonprofits also sell reserved “street seats”). The parade travels from Fort Myers High School to Cleveland Avenue and then north to downtown Fort Myers. Reserved street seats are $15. To order them, visit edisonfestival.org/street-seats.
St. Francis Xavier Church parade night spaghetti dinner
Annual pre-parade dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, bread, dessert and a beverage. 3:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $16 ($5 for children ages 10 and younger) and entitle you to park on church grounds and have a reserved space to place chairs to view the parade. Take-outs are available. All proceeds to benefit the Catholic Faith Appeal. St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall, 2133 Heitman St., Fort Myers. 239-334-2161 or 703-587-4221
Edison Festival of Light 5K Run
This 3.1-mile race travels through downtown Fort Myers and along Cleveland Avenue. More than 1,400 people take part every year. 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Entry fee is $35 in advance ($20 for youth) and $40 for everybody on race day. Coordinated by the Fort Myers Track Club. Race starts and finishes on Edwards Drive near Jackson Street in downtown Fort Myers. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/EdisonFestivalofLight5K
Edison Festival of Light Parade Party
Millennial Brewing hosts this annual parade party with free bounce houses, free parking, four food trucks and lots of beer, wine, cider, seltzers and cocktails. The event is pet- and family-friendly. 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Free. Millennial Brewing Co., 1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 271-2255 or facebook.com/MillennialBrewing
Crafts on the River
Exhibitors display and sell handmade crafts during this non-juried event near the Caloosahatchee River. The two-day event includes jewelry, photography, paintings, sculptures and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22. Free. Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers.
Grand Parade of Light VIP Tent
Experience the big parade with VIP seating offering a great view of the main event, plus a deejay, food and drinks. 5:30 p.m. until the end of the parade, Saturday, Feb. 21. $75 for adults, $35 for children. The tent is set up at Edwards Drive and Hendry Street.
Classic Car Show
Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars line Edwards Drive for this annual event during Crafts on the River. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. Free. Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers.
How to find out more about the Edison Festival of Light
For more information about the parade and the Edison Festival of Light, call 334-2999 or visit edisonfestival.org.
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Edison Fest grand parade: What to know about road closures and parking
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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