XTO Energy Named New Title Sponsor for Fort Worth Parade of Lights
August 14,2014
FORT WORTH, Texas (August 14, 2014) – Fort Worth, Texas-based XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, has officially become the new Title Sponsor of the Fort Worth Parade of Lights, annually held the Friday after Thanksgiving. Due to the new partnership, the parade’s official name has been changed to the XTO Energy Parade of Lights.
The 32nd annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights will kick off the holiday season on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Downtown Fort Worth. First staged in 1983, Fort Worth’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), brilliant antique cars, lively marching bands, precision equestrian units, decorated horse-drawn carriages, and casts of strolling carolers prancing 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 parade producers, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. (DFWII).
“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.”
“The Fort Worth Parade of Lights is a perfect fit for XTO,” said John Podraza, business services manager at XTO Energy. “The Parade’s mission to bring people together in the spirit of community goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to our employees, this city and the communities in which we operate.”
ABOUT THE XTO ENERGY PARADE OF LIGHTS
XTO Energy Inc. is the Title Sponsor of the 32nd annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights, which is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. 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 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 10 million acres. For more information, visit www.XTOEnergy.com.