Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade Talent Announced; Features ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Veterans
Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan announced talent for the 2009 Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade on Monday, Nov. 30, and the lineup will look very familiar to fans of ABC’s hit Dancing With The Stars. Entertainer Joey Fatone, dancer Cheryl Burke and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, all of whom have appeared on DWTS, will be a part of the parade’s nationally syndicated broadcast.
Fatone, an actor, singer and dancer who currently resides in Orlando, placed second on season four of DWTS. The former ‘N Sync star and host of NBC’s The Signing Bee and Celebrity Circus can also be seen covering the red carpet TV Guide Network during awards season.
Burke, a professional dancer with 17 years of experience, is the only dancer to have appeared in the DWTS finals four times and has won two championships – with Drew Lachey in Season Two and with Emmitt Smith in Season Three.
Johnson, the Season Eight champion on DWTS, starred on the U.S. gymnastics team during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In addition to earning a team silver medal, she won an individual gold medal in the balance beam and two individual silver medals in the floor exercise and all-around categories.
This will be the first Orlando Citrus Parade for all three personalities. Fatone and Burke will host the syndicated broadcast, while Johnson will serve as an on-street reporter throughout the event.
The first 100 fans to purchase a $50 parade grandstand ticket will also receive access to an exclusive “Meet & Greet” autograph session with parade talent . A ticket to the “Meet & Greet” may not be purchased separately. The autograph session will take place immediately following the parade (approx. 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.) at the grandstands near Lake Eola’s band shell on Rosalind Avenue. Fans interested in purchasing tickets may call the Florida Citrus Sports box office at 407.423.2476.
Now in its 30th year, the Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade is a Central Florida tradition known for its signature floats made entirely of Florida citrus fruit. Stepping off at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 30, the parade will take a 1.4 mile route through Downtown Orlando. A one-hour broadcast of the parade will be syndicated nationally.