The Citrus Parade is Orlando had its beginning in 1980. It was organized as a way to celebrate and welcome the football teams to town that were playing in the annual Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and The Tangerine Bowl (now the Champ Sports Bowl). The parade contained 70 units, consisting of bands, floats, precision marching units, a fleet of Corvettes and the Tangerine Bowl Queen Finalists. The first parade was televised on an ABC® Affiliate station in Orlando.
Almost three decades later, the Citrus Bowl Parade is second largest only to The Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA. The Rose Bowl Parade has floats that are covered with rose petals and other flowers; the Citrus Bowl Parade has floats that are covered with citrus fruits, oranges, tangerines and grapefruit. Rubber bands are used to attach the fruit, so as not to damage it. Following the parade, the fruit is then donated to local food banks.
Over 80,000 spectators come out to watch the parade and celebrate the New Year every year. The parade has local high school marching bands along with characters from the surrounding theme parks. The characters come from
Disney World®, Universal Studio and
Sea World. The marching bands and mascots form the universities that are playing in the Citrus Bowl also participate in the parade. In addition, many famous local personalities appear in the parade as well.
The parade begins around 11am a day or two before New Year's Day. With the mild Florida winter weather and the area attractions, the Citrus Bowl Parade is a great place for families to spend the holiday.
