Edison Festival of Light is proud to announce local legend, Sammy Sirianni, Jr., as the Grand Marshall for the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade. Southwest Florida’s two-week celebration returns in February 2026, signing off with its signature Grand Parade, lighting up downtown Fort Myers. Since 1938, the parade has honored the legacy of Thomas Edison by bringing the community together for the largest nighttime parade in the Southeastern United States.
The Sirianni name has been synonymous with Fort Myers High School football for 57 consecutive years. Making a name for themselves, Coach Sam Sr. and Coach Sammy Jr. are Florida’s only father-son duo to each surpass 150 career wins.
Beyond his athletic accolades, Sirianni Jr. and his team have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, honoring students at Fort Myers High School and across Lee County. Sirianni’s continued focus on inclusion and mentorship reflects a lifetime commitment learned from his father, helping every student find a path to thrive. With an emphasis on community, the choice was obvious when choosing the Grand Marshall.
“As a community, we need to embrace what the Edison Festival means to Fort Myers,” said Sirianni, Jr. “The Edison Festival of Light is a staple that we can’t take for granted, we must pass it from generation to generation. It encapsulates the traditions and history that give Fort Myers its identity.” The signs on the Fort Myers High campus that say, “Tradition Never Graduates”, demonstrate that this value runs deep…