The Edison Grand Parade Saturday night in Fort Myers

The Edison Grand Parade showcasing floats, marching bands, and more, is considered the largest night parade in the Southeast.

Many in Southwest Florida come out to Fort Myers to celebrate the life and achievements of Thomas Edison and enjoy the festivities.

Meteorologists from The Weather Authority at WINK News will join in on the fun and have a float in the parade.

This year, the parade is all about honoring hurricane heroes. The people who helped the community before, during, and after Hurricane Ian.

WINK News spoke with Melisa Giovannelli, the president of Edison Festival of Light, about the parade and what it means to her.

“We do this parade every year, it’s celebrating the Edison, Thomas Alva Edison’s birthday month, and his actual birthday is on February 11,” Giovannelli said. “I was in the parades as a child, and my children were in the parades. And I’ve now got my grandchildren raised, and they’re in the parade tonight. So we’re just excited to be participating and enjoying, you know, Lee County as we know it, our weather is going to be beautiful.”

Families WINK News also spoke with are thankful to be in Fort Myers for the 85th year of the parade and many of them said they are leaving downtown with memories to last a lifetime.

Organizers told WINK News this year’s event will be 25% bigger than it was last year. All of the floats will be taking off from Fort Myers High School at 7 p.m. Saturday and coming through downtown.