XTO Energy Parade of Lights celebrates 33 years in downtown Fort Worth on Nov. 22, 2015

Following the parade will be the lighting
of the Sundance Square Christmas Tree

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – On Sunday, November 22, 2015, tens of thousands will gather in the streets of Downtown Fort Worth to ring in the holiday season at the 33rd annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights, the largest illuminated holiday parade in Texas.

Featuring over half a million lights, Fort Worth’s signature parade has become a beloved tradition in the North Texas community. In addition to the dazzling illuminated floats, the parade will also showcase brilliant antique cars, lively marching bands, precision equestrian units, decorated horse-drawn carriages and carolers frolicking through the 1.58-mile parade route.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making their highly anticipated appearance on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float, sponsored by parade producers, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc..

This year’s parade has already received a generous outpouring of support from across the Fort Worth community. Dr. Kent P. Scribner, superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), and Dr. Patricia A. Linares, interim superintendent of the FWISD, are serving as the 2015 Parade of Lights’ grand marshals. Other confirmed participants include Mayor Betsy Price and other city leaders, title sponsor XTO Energy, and nonprofit organizations such as the Cowboy Santas Program, Inc. and the Fort Worth Bicycling Association, all lighting up the night and doing their part in encompassing this year’s theme of “Let The Season Begin!"

To further welcome the holiday season, the Sundance Square Christmas Tree lighting has returned to its original time slot after the parade for the first time since 2012. The 59-foot blue spruce will be lit in Sundance Square Plaza immediately following the parade. Reserved “Street Seats” are currently available for sale online at www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org and start at $9.50.

The full schedule of activities for the 2015 XTO Energy Parade of Lights is as follows:

Throughout the day
- Guests are encouraged to take advantage of and enjoy these Downtown offerings:
  - Come early to get a seat, enjoy some hot chocolate or a leisurely meal, and visit the new shops that have recently opened Downtown.
  - Wander through the new Sundance Square Plaza and view the Sundance Square Christmas Tree, or reserve a table at one of the 40+ restaurants in Downtown.
2 p.m.
- The T’s expanded bus service begins (Route 7) from Farrington Field ($3.50 round trip, exact fare required). Parking at Farrington Field is free.
- Exciting, live holiday entertainment will take place throughout downtown.
4:30 p.m.
- Houston Street and Commerce Street close for pre-parade entertainment.
5:30 p.m.
- Cowboy Santas will begin accepting toy donations for children in need.
6 p.m.
- The 2015 XTO Energy Parade of Lights officially begins at Belknap and Throckmorton Streets. The parade proceeds east along Belknap Street, turns south on Commerce Street and goes all the way to 9th Street. At 9th, the parade turns west, proceeds past the Convention Center to Houston Street, and then turns north on Houston all the way to Weatherford Street.
7:10 p.m.
- Santa begins his trip along the parade route on the Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. float.
7:45 p.m.
- The lighting of the Sundance Square Christmas Tree will take place and Santa will be available for photos.
10 p.m.
- Last bus departs for Farrington Field from the ITC

History

First staged in 1983 by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., the Parade of Lights began as a means to help change perceptions of the Central Business District. At that time, Downtown stakeholders realized that a unifying event such as the Parade of Lights would provide an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to see Downtown as a place of celebration, entertainment, fun and relaxation. Now known as one of the top illuminated parades in the U.S., it has grown from 25 entries and a crowd of 25,000 in 1983, to nearly 100 entries and thousands in attendance today.

The official hashtag for the 2015 XTO Energy Parade of Lights is #2015ParadeOfLights. For the latest updates on the 33rd 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.

ABOUT THE XTO ENERGY PARADE OF LIGHTS

XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, is the Title Sponsor of the 33rd annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights, which is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. Additional 2015 sponsors include Sundance Square, GM Financial, Hilton Fort Worth, and Atmos Energy. Media Sponsors include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 98.7 K-LUV (KLUV-FM), 92.1 HANK FM (KTFW-FM), and 95.9 The Ranch (KFWR-FM). For more information, visit www.FortWorthParadeofLights.org,

www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW, or

www.Twitter.com/ParadeOf_Lights.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH INITIATIVES, INC.

Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization formed in 1988 to complement the work of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and the Public Improvement District by providing a funding pathway for charitable, educational and public-purpose activities, such as community festivals, residential development and park management. Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. produces the annual MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival and the annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights. These events have an economic impact of more than $27 million annually and attract thousands of visitors to Downtown Fort Worth each year. For more information, visit www.DFWI.org.

ABOUT XTO ENERGY INC.

XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, is a leading natural gas and oil producer in the U.S. with expertise in developing tight gas, shale gas, coal bed methane and unconventional oil resources. XTO has operations in all major U.S. producing regions, and holds more than 11 million acres. For more information, visit www.XTOEnergy.com.