Golfer Chris DiMarco To Serve As Grand Marshal of Orlando Citrus Parade
All parade talent has been finalized for the Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines. The internationally-syndicated broadcast will reach over 150 markets nationwide and will extend to the United Kingdom, U.S. Virgin Island, Puerto Rico, Canada and through Voice of America. The parade, in its twenty-eighth year, is scheduled for step-off at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2007 in downtown Orlando.
Chris Harrison and Jane Robelot will return as parade co-hosts. Harrison, who is in his second year with the parade, hosts ABC�s romantic reality series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. He also hosts HGTV�s popular interior design show Designer�s Challenge. In her fifth year as co-host, Robelot is a contributing reporter for a special projects segment called Jane�s Carolina on WYFF in Greenville, S.C. Prior to her work on WYFF, Robelot worked for CBS as anchor of CBS Morning News and then CBS This Morning.
PGA golfer Chris DiMarco, a resident of Orlando suburb Heathrow, will be the parade�s grand marshal. DiMarco graduated from the University of Florida in 1990 and turned professional shortly after. He has become a consistent competitor within the PGA Tour�finishing runner-up in three majors and placing in the top 20 on the PGA tour money list five times during his career. DiMarco participated on the United States� team for the 2003 and 2005 Presidents Cup and 2004 and 2006 Ryder Cup. In addition to his professional career, he annually hosts the Norma DiMarco �Tee Up for Life� Golf Tournament benefiting R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids).
Daytime soap opera star Kirsten Storms will also participate in the parade. She is seen currently on General Hospital as Maxie Jones. Storms joined the cast in May 2005 following roles on 7th Heaven, Disney Channel original movie, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and Days of Our Lives. She began her career with a part on ABC�s Second Noah. Storms, originally from Orlando, resides in Los Angeles. Florida Citrus Sports will be hosting an online auction item in conjunction with Storms’ appearance. Two autographed scripts from General Hospital are featured within the auction section of the FCSports website.
Additional parade talent includes notable alumni from the University of Michigan and the University of Florida�the participating teams in the Capital One Bowl. Barry Larkin, former Cincinnati Reds shortstop, will represent the Michigan Wolverines. The 12-time All Star helped the team to a World Series title in 1990, collected three Gold Glove awards and the National League�s MVP award in 1995. He currently works in the Washington Nationals organization. Jack Youngblood, a 2001 NFL Hall of Fame inductee, will participate on behalf of the Florida Gators. The Orlando resident played with the Los Angeles Rams as a defensive end for 14 seasons. Throughout his career, Youngblood has been active with a variety of charitable organizations. Presently, he serves on the St. Louis Rams Honorary Advisory Board.