Thousands Entertained At 25th Annual Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines
A crowd of thousands filled the streets of Downtown Orlando on Friday, Dec. 30 for the 25th Annual Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines. Fans lined the curbs on Orange Avenue and packed the grandstand seats in front of city hall to join in “Celebrating 25 Years” of the Orlando Citrus Parade.
Without a cloud in sight, the 55-unit parade stepped off at 11 a.m. thanks to an opening performance by The Pop Shop, a local singing ensemble. Featuring appearances by 13 marching bands from across the country (including the Auburn and Wisconsin marching bands), the parade wowed the crowds throughout the afternoon. The event was highlighted by appearances from recording artists such as Mike Phillips, Jillian Wheeler and the parade’s grand marshal, American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis, who sang his rendition of the Black Crowes’ “She Talks To Angels.”
In addition, the silver anniversary of the Orlando Citrus Parade featured seven of its signature citrus floats, made entirely of Florida citrus fruit. It took over 100,000 pieces of fruit and 500 volunteers to construct this year’s floats, and they did not disappoint.
The SeaWorld citrus float won the famed Elmer Cook Award for the best parade entry as voted on by an independent panel.
In case you missed the chance to be there in person for the 25th Annual Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines, you can be one of the millions who will see it on a nationally syndicated broadcast. Hosted by Sun Sports announcer Paul Kennedy and former CBS personality Jane Robelot, and featuring Country Music Artist and Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap, the one-hour broadcast can be seen on television in 149 markets nationwide. Locally, the broadcast will air on WFTV, the Orlando ABC affiliate, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, leading into the national ABC broadcast of the 60th Annual Capital One Bowl.
Pre-purchase your copy of the nationally syndicated 25th Annual Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines today! Available in VHS or DVD format, copies of the one-hour telecast include footage of all high-school bands, the Auburn University and the University of Wisconsin marching bands, behind-the-scenes footage of citrus float building and musical performances.