David Cassidy in the News
Music And Crowds Always A Part Of The Street Festival Downtown
LIGHT UP ORLANDO
November 13, 1992
The Orlando Sentinel
You mean Light Up Orlando is already celebrating its 10th anniversary?
Time flies.
Here's a look back at the the first nine years.
- 1983. Modeled on a similar event in Atlanta, the first Light Up Orlando attracted 15,000 people and was free. Among the musical acts were the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra and Big Slick & Co.
- 1984. About 50,000 to 75,000 attended the second free Light Up festival. The Streetscape project had been completed along Orange Avenue, and 25,000 lights twinkled in the trees. Musical artists included Johnny Thunder and Gabriel's Brass.
- 1985. The first two festivals were held on Fridays. This one was on a Saturday, and more than 125,000 people attended. For the first time, a name act, Weird Al Yankovic, appeared.
- 1986. This was the first year for the pre-Light Up Queen Kumquat Sashay, Orlando Sentinel columnist Bob Morris' irreverent version of a parade. Comedian Carol Leifer told jokes, and the Florida Symphony Orchestra and Southern Ballet Theatre were among the entertaining groups seen by the 175,000 who attended.
- 1987. A record crowd of 200,000 saw such acts as Atlanta Rhythm Section, Crystal, Paradise, Trace Balin and Tight Squeeze.
- 1988. For the first time, admission was charged. More than 100,000 people paid the $3 entry fee to see the Four Tops, Herbie Mann, the Marshall Tucker Band and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels.
- 1989. The Atlanta Rhythm Section returned to perform with Three Dog Night, Firefall and Molly Hatchet. More than 100,000 people attended.
- 1990. Again, there were about 100,000 people at Light Up. The acts included Bruce Hornsby and the Range, David Cassidy, Najee, Skip Ewing and, again, the Atlanta Rhythm Section.
- 1991. Last year's festival was the chilliest ever with temperatures dropping into the 40s. The music was provided by Eddie Money, Foreigner, David Benoit and Lionel Cartwright. More than 100,000 people attended.
