The All-New Orlando Citrus Parade Announces Grand Marshals, Appearances and Performances

Orlando, Fla. (December 18, 2018) – Florida Citrus Sports in association with Parades R Us announces grand marshals, appearances and performances for the all-new Orlando Citrus Parade, which takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 29th in Downtown Orlando. 

Grand marshals include actor and singer Norm Lewis; Major League Baseball star Johnny Damon; actress, author, entrepreneur and founder of Her Universe Ashley Eckstein; Major League Baseball star and 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein; and Stranger Things actress Chelsea Talmadge. Michael Campion from Netflix’s Fuller House is also making a special guest appearance.

Confirmed appearances and performances include: Broadway performer and recording artist Linda Eder; The Voice finalist and artist Sisaundra Lewis; Grammy Award-winning country music artist Jo Dee Messina; American Idol finalist and singer/songwriter Alyssa Raghu; country music star Ty Herndon; contemporary Christian artist MARi; country music artist Charly Reynolds; CeCe Teneal & Soul Kamotion; Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin; Orlando Magic Dancers; Orlando Repertory Theatre; Orlando vocalist Evin; a cappella group Voctave; The Untouchables and Funkywunks from World of Dance; entertainer Davonda Simmons; 2019 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen London Hibbs; singer Charisma Trans; and the Parade All Star Dance Team and Parade Flag Team, including Orange County Public School students.

Upwards of 3,000 participants take part in the event, which also includes signature citrus floats made of tangerines, grapefruits and oranges; spirited high school marching bands from across the nation; participating bowl game college marching bands; balloons; local performing groups; specialty units; and other exciting performances.

As it makes its way through downtown Orlando, the parade will air live from 10 a.m. to noon in the Orlando market on WFTV, the ABC affiliate for Central Florida and the news and information leader. It will also be streamed live on WFTV Now. Emmy Award-winning WFTV News Anchor Jorge Estevez and TV Host, Model and Miss Florida USA 2010 Megan Clementi are the parade co-hosts. American Idol finalist and singer Justin Guarini is the parade’s special correspondent and actor Billy Flanigan is the Street Host. The parade will also air nationally as a one-hour syndicated show, “Sunshine State Citrus Celebration,” for the months of January and February.

Tickets are now on sale for the TV Performance Zone and can be purchased through the website (www.orlandocitrusparade.com). The TV Performance Zone offers fantastic seats that bring viewers closer to their favorite performers, bands and floats.

The Orlando Citrus Parade has grown to become one of the largest sports affiliated parades in the nation, an annual tradition that occurs each year between the Camping World Bowl and the Citrus Bowl.

This year’s parade will support Give Kids The World Village – an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida. At the Village, children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations.

Since its founding in 1986, Give Kids The World has served more than 165,000 families from all 50 states and more than 75 foreign countries. At Give Kids The World – one of the country’s top-rated charities – no child is ever turned away, and there is never any charge to visiting families.

The parade step off time is 9:30 a.m. and the parade route begins at the corner of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street and continues south on Orange Avenue, east on Anderson Street, then north on Rosalind Avenue. The parade concludes at Rosalind Avenue and Robinson Street. The route is 1.4 miles in length and takes 90-120 minutes to complete. The parade is free to watch along the parade route.

The parade is being produced by Parades R Us in association with JM Best Entertainment. Executive producers are John M. Best, Pamela Bolling, Michael Chapman and Jeff Revels. Producers are Sarah Griffith and Angela Bowles.

For anyone interested in becoming a parade day volunteer, or volunteering for the float build from December 26 through December 28, the website has detailed descriptions of volunteer opportunities, such as balloon handlers (16 years of age and older), banner carriers, cast operations, float escorts, talent escorts, and many more.