Olympic Gold Medalist, “Bachelorette” Stars Join Orlando Citrus Parade Lineup
Track star and Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin will serve as grand marshal for the 2012 Orlando Citrus Parade, while Trista and Ryan Sutter — stars of the first season of “The Bachelorette” and the show’s biggest success story — will host the syndicated national broadcast. The 32nd Orlando Citrus Parade steps off in Downtown Orlando at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29.
Gatlin is a five-time Olympic medalist for the United States, most recently taking bronze in the 100-meters and silver as part of the 4×100-meter relay team this August in London. He won the gold medal in the 100-meters at the 2004 Athens games at the age of 22 and went on to win a pair of world championships in 2005, becoming the second man in history to win both the 100-meters and 200-meters at the same World Championships. Gatlin attended high school in Pensacola, Fla., and currently calls Orlando home. As grand marshal, he will ride in the parade and also take part in the television broadcast.
Trista and Ryan Sutter will host that broadcast, which is syndicated in 79% of the nation’s television markets. After appearing on the first season of ABC’s “The Bachelor”, Trista was selected to star in its spinoff, “The Bachelorette,” in 2003. Ryan was selected as the winner of that season and the two were married later that year. They are currently the only couple from either “The Bachelor”(16 seasons) or “The Bachelorette” (eight seasons) to be married. The two live in Vail, Colo., with their two children and they continue to make television appearances, including competing on Dancing With The Stars, co-hosting Good Morning America, and more. As hosts of the parade broadcast, they will provide live commentary from the grandstand area near Lake Eola Park.
After a one-year stint as the Fresh From Florida Parade, the Orlando Citrus Parade returns to its roots in 2012. It remains a Central Florida tradition known for its signature floats made entirely of Florida citrus fruit. The one-hour broadcast of the parade will be syndicated nationally and viewed by millions.