The Citrus-Themed Floats in Orlando Citrus Parade

For my Flashback entry this week, I will be sharing these photos that I took during the Orlando Citrus Parade. Hubby and I watch this parade in Downtown Orlando which is scheduled every last week of December. The Orlando Citrus Parade is done annually in Orlando, Florida. This is a holiday celebration for the two annual college football bowl games: the Russell Athletic Bowl and the Capital One Bowl. This event is planned and produced by The Florida Citrus Sports Foundation and has become like a tradition which is already a part of the annual Orlando Bowl Week.

Who are in the Parade?



The parade consists of high school as well as the Bowl-attending university marching bands from the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference. One of the great attractions in the parade is the theme park characters from Walt Disney World as well as the characters featured in Universal Orlando. There are local celebrities and national celebrities too. Also in the parade is the Mayor of Orlando, the firemen, the veterans, the military and police personnel and many more. The most applauded participants in the parade are the men and women in uniform.

If there is an Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California and Lemon Festival in Menton, France, here in Orlando, we have the Citrus Parade. It is actually the same concept. While California is using flowers for the Roses parade, Orlando Parade uses citrus just like in Lemon Festival.

Main Attraction in the Parade:

The main attraction in the Citrus Parade in Orlando is the citrus fruits used in each floats. Yes, all the floats are decorated with citrus. It could be oranges, lemon, grapefruits, tangerines, calamondin, kumquats and more.

If you wish to come and see the Citrus Parade this year, please come early to get a good parking space. Most of the time it is not free so; $5 to $10 is alright and let me warn you, do not just park anywhere or else, your car will be towed. It will be big time hassle!

Make sure also that you are aware of the streets that will be closed for this event. I suggest, you should find a good area by Lake Eola. It has wide streets so; your kids can see the floats clearly without obstruction. Bring finger foods, drinks and folding chairs too. The weather is always cool so; make sure you have a jacket to bundle when needed.

Have a great Wednesday everyone and I will see you in Downtown Orlando for this event. I will be watching the parade by Lake Eola. See you soon and Merry Christmas.

Mardi Gras Day Parade in Ocean Springs

There is a big parade which is scheduled in Biloxi today. Hubby and I thought Mardi Gras this year would start this week and onward but, it started early about last week of January. We did plan to visit Mississippi for Mardi Gras and see the parades in Ocean Springs (day/night), D'Iberville, Past Christian and Biloxi. Before we could book a trip, we found out that some of the parades were over. We missed the Mardi Gras in Mississippi this year. Oh well, maybe next year right?

Here are some old photos that I took when we live in Mississippi. My sister-in-law and other relatives lived nearby Porter and Jackson Avenue so; all of us would watch the parade along these streets. Shown in the picture above is a group called Shriners in their Model T miniature cars. Cute huh? Looking great grandpa :-)

Mardi Gras is a very interesting parade. There is always a surprise like the photo above.

We watch the parade at Porter Avenue. The building that you see above is Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. My husband said, originally this building is an ancestral home of the O'Keefe family and they sold it to a guy named William 'Willy' Frederic Dale. He turned it into a restaurant and bar then, towards the end of his life he sold it back to the O'Keefe. Presently, this building is an elegant funeral home in the area.

Clowns afre always present in Mardi Gras parades.

Every time there is a parade, some folks find this event the best season on their business.

Most schools participated as well.

The well-applauded participants in the Mardi Gras parade are usually the police officers, firemen and military either active and retired men in uniform.

Cheering crowd!

A representative of every organization is present as well.

Here comes the firemen and gorgeous firetruck.

Shown above is a float with little krewe members in costumes throwing some beads and trinkets.

Here is another Mardi Gras float with Krewe members throwing strings of beads, doubloons, cups, frisbees and other trinkets. From the floats, they throw some of those interesting trinkets, plastic toys and cups to the spectators lining on the streets of Porter Avenue. These goodies consist of colorful necklaces, bracelets, beads and they also throw coins called doubloons, which are stamped with krewes' logos, parade themes and the year. Have you been to a Mardi Gras before? You should try it sometime. You will like it for sure. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Thanks for stopping by in my blog today. See you again.

D'Iberville Mardi Gras and Beads

Few years ago, I never knew that Mardi Gras parade would be like "catching beads" activity and it's from beginning to end. It was awkward to shout "throw me some beads" and raising two hands ready to catch them. But, everyone is doing it and I look like a fool standing there observing and watching the crowd fought hard to catch the beads.To enjoy the Mardi Gras celebration, I need to go with the flow of the crowd's thrilling activity. I am improving after three years of being around the Mardi Gras celebration in Mississippi and Louisiana. Hubby and I goes to one city to another city in two states. I love the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, D'Iberville, Biloxi and night parade in Ocean Springs.Well, here's the picture of my family down below. I was up on the terrace of a relative's business establishment.

Beads From Mardi Gras

I got a full bag of beads collected from two Mardi Gras parades. My mother asked for these beads so she can distribute it to her sisters in Christ.Most of the friends of my mother are flood victims so, the beads that she gave to them before must have gone and washed out to the river. Definitely, these beads will be sent for them soon.

The Citrus Parade 2011: Fresh From Orlando Parade

Hello everyone, as promised for those who wanted to see the pictures of the Citrus Parade here in Orlando, sharing the pictures of the floats during the parade:The Capital One float...It really pays to come to the parade venue an hour early to find a good and cheaper parking space. For us, we found $5 parking space in the Central Avenue just two blocks away from the parade route area.
I heard from the news that Universal Orlando and some Disney parks closed for few hours for the over-flow of guests in Orlando. The last week of 2011 was a boom for business establishments in Florida especially here in Orlando, the venue for the championship of College Football.
Hubby and I found a good space near the Lake Eola Park but, we were surrounded by guests from other states. It was fun and exciting parade even though, we all wished to see more floats decorated with citrus.
More pictures later about the college participants....

Thanks for stopping by. Do click the other photos HERE: Fresh from Florida Parade.

Fresh from Florida Parade

As promised, here are the pictures that I took today during the parade.This is my favorite float and I admire the flower design, so artistic and beautiful.Was disappointed to see no oranges here...Hubby and I went to Downtown Orlando early because when there is a big activity in Orlando, the streets are terrible with traffic. Actually, an hour early is not bad because we were able to find a good parking lot for $5 and it's along Central Avenue. We found a good spot right along the Summerlin Street near the Lake Eola Park. It was shaded and not so crowded.

Click here if you want to see more pictures of the floats in the parade----> Orlando Citrus Parade 2011. Happy New Year to everyone. See you next year!

Cagayan de Oro City Fiesta 2010

It is so nice to see these pictures right? These are the property of SOCORRO, taken during the city fiesta of Cagayan de Oro 2010.

After seeing these pictures in her FB account, I asked her if I can share it to my readers in this blog. She gave me permission of course.
I remember this area. I saw the sign of DXCC so, this is Velez St nearby the junction of Marcos Bridge( W), Macabalan (N) and heading to Lapasan on (E).
The location of the photographer is in the park of VICENTE de Lara which is nearby Central Bank and the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental.

I can only imagine the crowd in this area who came from the East side of the city such as Lapasan, Cugman, Gusa, Bugo who occupied this place because it is very convenient.

Here's one of the participants of the parade, I guess that is Bugo National High School. I am not really sure though. I wish to come home next year for the Fiesta Celebration!