XTO to take over sponsorship of Fort Worth’s Parade of Lights

Fort Worth’s 32nd annual Parade of Lights will jump start the holiday season on Nov. 28 with a new title sponsor. Fort Worth-based XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp., has officially become the event’s new, long-term title sponsor, succeeding Chesapeake Energy Co., which had sponsored the holiday procession the past few years.

Due to XTO’s new partnership with parade producer Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives Inc., the parade’s official name has been changed to the XTO Energy Parade of Lights. First staged in 1983, Cowtown’s signature parade has grown to become Texas’ largest illuminated holiday procession, with nearly 100 professionally-designed-and-produced floats (each with more than 12,000 lights), antique cars, marching bands, precision equestrian units, decorated horse-drawn carriages, and casts of strolling carolers weaving through the 1.5-mile parade route.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will again be making their appearance on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float, sponsored by Downtown Fort Worth. “We’re proud to announce that XTO Energy is the new, long-term title sponsor for the Fort Worth Parade of Lights,” said Larry Anfin, chairman of DFWII’s Festivals and Events Committee. “In addition to XTO being an extremely valued business leader and supporter of the city of Fort Worth and of Downtown Fort Worth, XTO’s headquarters and home offices are located in downtown along our traditional parade route, so obviously it’s a match made in heaven and a perfect partnership for all involved.” Additional 2014 sponsors include Tarrant County College, Sundance Square, Atmos Energy, GM Financial, Hilton Fort Worth and Frost Bank. Media Sponsors include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KTXA-TV/Channel 21, and KLUV-FM/98.7 K-LUV. For information, visit www.FortWorthParadeofLights.org, www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW, or www.Twitter.com/ParadeOf_Lights.

-Betty Dillard bdillard@bizpress.net