By the florida restaurant association. Hi, everyone. Im greg. And vanessa. Were excited to be with you today to share with all of you the 35th Anniversary Edition of a Central Florida holiday tradition, the florida citrus parade. This event was first held in 1980 and held by florida citrus sports. The floats youll be seeing are decorated with oranges, grapefruits and tangerines green here in the sunshine state. We have a great lineup including the edible floats, marching bands from all over the nations, football v. I. P. S and a few surprises. Greg, we have around 50,000 of our closest friends with us today lining the parade route. The third member of our team, a man that loves to have a good time, orlando native and comedian, rod z is there in the and i love being in the middle of the action. Its great being back home in Central Florida. Its greater being part of this wonderful parade. You know were going to have fun, right, guys . [cheers applause] all right, rod. I have no doubt about that. Well, vanessa, i can see from behind us, the parade is rolling our way. Lets get this party started. What better way to lead things off than with the florida citrus parades mascot squeeze. Hes everybodys favorite naval orange. Juicy and sweet. His past time is being first in the line in the annual florida citrus parade. We have marching bands from all across the country taking part in todays parade. First up, the Ruskin High School marching band. Theyre proud to be making their second appearance in the florida citrus parade. They captured the Pennsylvania State championships three times championship finalist three times as well. Lets take a look to the ruskin golden knights. What a great sound. All the way from pennsylvania. They are the baird Ruskin High School golden knights. You know, vanessa, for almost seven decades, florida citrus sports has hosted bigtime events that helped define orlando. Our parade hosts are up with this years holiday classic. Plenty of fresh oranges, grapefruits and tangerines. The theme showcases the charitable arm of the organization, florida citrus sports foundation. Florida citrus sports looks to continue their seven decade focus on the disadvantaged of Central Florida but concentrating the efforts surrounding the citrus bowl stadium. The vision is to use the new stadium to create pathways of opportunities for its neighbors with an eye on serving the children of this area. As part of that vision, f. C. Sports is partnering with the College FootballPlayoff Foundation to fund classroom projects for schools in the citrus bowl neighborhood. Fans can read more about this cause and make their own sports. Theres an unbelievable amount of work that goes into getting all of these floats ready for parade day, particularly since each float is designed using theres so many floats that have to be covered with fruit. Volunteers. Over 120,000 pieces of fruit goes on these floats. Basically we take colored rubber bands and wind them through the chicken wire and strategically place each fruit, stacking it from the bottom up, making sure we get it tight so theres no gaps and it looks street. The volunteers are amazing. Its great to see a concept go from inception and being a masterpiece going down in the parade for the volunteers to enjoy. And those floats do indeed look great. Lets keep the music rolling with another group that has logged a lot of miles to get here. Traveling to orlando from kansas, this is the Shawnee Mission northwest High School Marching band better known as the marching cougar pride. The pride are under the direction of penny sneed. While in orlando, they will also parade at walt disneys magic kingdom. Lets get a taste of the Shawnee Mission marching cougar pride. Were just getting started, folks as the florida citrus parade is rolling through the which teams have appeared in the most Buffalo Wild Wings citrus bowl games . Any idea . The answer, the university of georgia. The bulldogs. They have played in this game six times. And that is a great segue to the next float, which features the Title Sponsor. You probably know Buffalo Wild Wings for chicken wings and one of 21 signature sauces. But vanessa, Buffalo Wild Wings is a Great Community partner having teamed with the boys and girls clubs of america to allow kids to play on football and basketball teams and cheer squads. Buffalo wild wings helps 100,000 children by donating millions. Buffalo wild wings beliefs theres a champion in every child. Some of the champions are with the float today. Members of the orlando area boys and girls club. Greg, Buffalo Wild Wings has worldwide. The company is excited to be the Title Sponsor of the 70th edition of a new years day football rivalry. Lets join rod who is standing by with Buffalo Wild Wingss Vice President of north american marketing. The game is sold out. A great crowd. So what does it mean to table gate at vdubs . Its like tail getting but inside the restaurant. With the game being sold out, you can come with us and enjoy the game early, stay afterwards and enjoy everything we have to offer. Cant make to it the games, go to vdubs. Back to you, vanessa and greg. Thanks, rod. Its an exciting time for football fans. And keeping that excitement going for us right now is a band from just south of atlanta. Its the tiger band from Fayette County high school in fayetteville, georgia. Their motto is excellence in all we do. That is certainly on display every time they perform. This is the tiger bands parade. In previous years, they have traveled to london to take part in their new years day parade and also to Honolulu Hawaii for the wiakiki parade. The beautiful sounds of the tiger marching band from fayetteville, georgia. Looks like our grand marshall is heading our way. This guy has been a good friend of mine for years. Chris demarco. He was a threetime allamerican florida and since turning pro, he has three pga tour wins. I had a chance to talk with him prior to the start of todays parade. Youve had a lot of thrills. What about riding in the parade with your wife and daughter . Its fun being a orlando resident. Its a cool honor. Proud to be here. And what would make this better . Gators win. Absolutely. Be a great win today if they can pull it out. Greg, our next float represents floridas fantastic hospitality and Tourism Industry and comes to us courtesy of the florida restaurant and lodging association. The frla represents more than 10,000 members, flyers and theme parks. Their commission is to protect the Tourism Industry. Heres a few facts about the Tourism Industry that will amaze 9. 73 million visitors with 76 billion in spending. That generates a quarter of all the sales taxes generated and provides over a million jobs for floridians. Florida is warm and welcoming to millions each year. This is depicted by the first of two frla floats. Theres a number of ways to get more information about this Outstanding Group online. Go to frla. Org or twitter at frlanews. And also on facebook and youtube. We know that a lot of our viewers around the country are dealing with freezing temperatures. Sorry about that. Heres the 62nd warm and sunny florida vacation break with our friends at the florida association. We have lots of fun and plenty of excitement still ahead as this years florida citrus parade continues from orlando. The florida restaurant and lodging ass is the proud citrus parade. A lot of gators around, but i just found a bunch of michigan wolverine fans and the test of a true fan is do you know the fight song. You know it . Oh, yeah. Lets hear it. One, two. You know what to do. Hail to the victors hail, hail michigan welcome back to the 2016 florida citrus parade. Representing the big ten will be the michigan wolverines as they face off against the Florida Gators from the sec. Representing the university of florida in todays parade is former gators golfer great, billy horschel. He was a twoteam player of the year. He turned pro in 2009 and now has three wins on the pga tour and a fed ex cup championship. I caught up with billy prior to youve won the fed ex cup championships, ncaa individual championships. What about being a grand marshall in a parade for your gators . Its pretty cool. When i got the call about two weeks ago, you know, i was excited. Anything you can do for the university of florida. Im a huge gator fan. What would make this better is a victory . Oh, yeah. The gator nation will be pumped up. And the university of florida marching band is one of the largest and most recognizable organizations on campus with more than 360 members. It should be noted that the gators marching band has one of the highest average gpas of any studented organization. Music has the power to express the motions unexplainable. The university of fighting gator marching band ames to produce music at the highest level while symbol of gator pride. The band is under the direction of jay watkins. This is the pride of the sunshine. Wow. Outstanding music from the florida gator marching band. Heading our way now is the sun pass float brought to you by floridas turnpike, which is part of the Florida Department of transportation. Whether youre travelling to the white sands of the gulf coast beaches, the amusement parks in orlando or the night life in miami, sun pass gets you there vanessa, im assuming the sun pass float didnt need to pay tolls. I dont think so. I love the float this year. Its not just in florida. Sun pass is also accepted in georgia and North Carolina with more states coming online soon. I know when a team saver it is to have a sun pass transponder in my car. You dont have to worry about fumbleing for change or stopping for that matter. Yo yo you drive through and sun pass takes care of the rest. Purchase your sun pass online at sunpass. Com. Lets get back to more great music as we welcome the second largest marching bank in new england. Consisting of 250 members. They have literally performed all over the world, vanessa. The lancers are part of the pregame festivities at the 2008 they have marched in two president ial inauguration parades and every year they march in the new york st. Patricks day parade. Heres the sounds of the lancer marching band. When we come back, the budweiser clydesdales are heading our way. Were coming back with more from orlando. Special thank you to sun pass. One of todays citrus float. Sunpass. Com. Welcome back to the florida citrus parade. Im vanessa. And im greg. Thanks for spending part of your day with us as we all enjoy this holiday tradition. Marching our way, the port clinton band from port clinton, ohio. Theyre 150 members strong and under the direction of mr. Rodney miller. The group is no stranger to Central Florida. Every four years they come to orlando to perform at disney world. This is the pride of the clinton, ohio. The redskins marching band. The florida restaurant and lodging association is delivering the treats with another great float. The frla is floridas premier hospitality trade association. This fishy float represents the fact that florida ranks among the top 12 u. S. States for fresh seafood production. Did you know that florida fishermen catch 84 of the nations supply of grouper, mullet, stone crab, pink shrimp, spiney lobsters and spanish mackerel . The frla works with visit florida, which is a Public Private partnership that was established 20 years ago to be the official Tourism Marketing arm for florida. The goal is to make florida the the world. Visit florida wants to help folks relax and refresh in the sunshine state. The frla and visit florida are driving tourism in our state. Lets take a quick florida vacation break with our friends lodging association. Ladies and gentlemen, im here with the famous budweiser clydesdales. Beautiful animals. Are you guys going to check out the game . Okay. This is sparky. Sparky, what about Buffalo Wild Wings . You guys want to check those guys out too . You bring the beer, ill bring the wings. Okay. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Clydesdales are set for the game and so am i. Back to you, vanessa and greg. Heading our way now is everyones favorite. I dont know anyone that doesnt get excited when they see the budweiser clydesdales. Theyre beauty in motion. The tradition of the clydesdales began in 1933 to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. Theyre so massive. Anheuser busch has one of the largest herds in the country that follows a very strict breeding program. Only the finist clydesdales qualify to pull the hitch. They have to be 72 inches tall, weigh between 1800 and 2300 pounds and be uniform in color and have to have a white face and four White Stocking feet. Very particular. The budweiser clydesdales are a super bowl tradition. The clydesdales have appeared in budweisers super bowl ads ever since 1986. Those are eight beautiful creatures. Theres still a lot of parade yet to come, including more music. The florida citrus parade is coming right back. Special thanks to the Florida Department of citrus. Of whats going on, man . Ultimately, we have a lot to talk about. Albert, its a new year. I notice you were by yourself. So i figured wed make a love connection. I want somebody you want to meet. Alberta, come on over. Alberta, this is albert. Albert, alberta. Instant love connection, folks. Were making love out here at the florida citrus parade. Love happens, baby happy new year vanessa and greg, back to you. Welcome back to the florida citrus parade, everyone as you might expect, it takes a tremendous amount of coordination to get all of this musical talent to orlando for the big parade. The sponsors of the next float helped ease that burden quite a bit. Super Holiday Tours is the Helpful Group that provides the travel arrangements for all of the talented student musicians that you see performing in todays parade. Helping students that travel the world since 1975. In addition to being adorned with plenty of fresh florida fruit, the tour represents all of the student segments. Bands, choir, education and season class groups. Super Holiday Tours will take you anywhere, no destination is too close or too far for your students to discover. No matter what type of group you have, marching band, class trip, senior trip, super Holiday Tours can help you make life long memories. Let super Holiday Tours take you where you want to go. If your schools band would like to be a part of next years florida citrus parade, go to super Holiday Tourss website for more information. That is superholiday. Com. Up next is a perfect example of one group that super Holiday Tours helped get to orlando. The tiger marching band from a lexus Dupont High School all the way from wilmington, delaware. Parades all across the country and also perform at the vatican. They have also made seven appearances in london for their new years day parade. Lets take a listen to the tiger marching band under the direction of robert mcclain. Thats the dupont tiger marching band from delaware. The folks at Brighthouse Networks are joining the celebration and say hello, they have fruit trees and fresh it is trust fruit. Brighthouse networks is the sixth Largest Telecom in the nation delivering internet, tv, phone and security. Brighthouse owns and operates exclusive news channels in the florida markets as well as brighthouse sports noteetworks. As you said, Brighthouse Networks is your onestop shop for all of your favorite cable channels, internet, home security, phone and much more. You can get more information about all of the Brighthouse Networks has to offer by going to brighthouse. Com. Connect to what matters most with Brighthouse Networks. We are nowhere near finished, folks. Stay right where you are. The florida citrus parade is coming right back. By welcome back to the florida citrus parade. Im vanessa alongside greg. Greg, the action just keeps oncoming. The big ten representatives on new years day in the Buffalo Wild Wings citrus bowl game are the michigan wolverines. Joining the parade is legendary michigan coach lloyd carr who coached the wolverines for 13 seasons. He ended his coaching career with a 4135 thrilling win over the Florida Gators in 2008 right here in orlando. I talked with coach carr about that big win earlier today. One of the great moments in citrus bowl stadium history is watching you carried off on the shoulders of your players in the final game for you. A career highlight even though it was the last game. No doubt a great memory. The players, the guys that played on that team, we got off to a rough start at the to end it the way we did here against a great florida team was special. From the moment the big ten and sec put together a package where we would play in this bowl, its been special. I think as much as anything else, its such a great place for family. Thats really what College Football is about. And following up is the university of michigan marching band. For over 100 years, they have thrilled thousands of fans with exciting performances that have made this one of the Great College bands in the country. Just imagine performing before 100,000 plus fans at the big house in ann arbor. Thats got to be a big thrill. You know, through the years, vanessa, the michigan bands have put in 42 bowl games and four they have appeared on good morning america, live with regis and kathie lee. The band is under the direction of dr. John pascuale. Our next float is sponsored by a group that wants to spread the message about our great city. The city of Orlando DowntownDevelopment Board brings us our next entry. This represents the heart of downtown orlando. The mission of the Orlando DowntownDevelopment Board is to strengthen the role of downtown orlando as the economic, governmental and Cultural Center theres always something new to discover in downtown orlando from arts and culture to professional sporting events, world class entertainment venues, awardwinning restaurants, shopping and night life. Now is the time to discover your urban. To stay up to date on events in orlando, visit downtownorlando. Com. I live in downtown. Its a walkable area as well. Nice community feel. You know, orlando is establishing itself as a vibrant and diverse city. The florida citrus parade is a big part of that growth. When we return, more great marching bands and we honor some bowl legends. Well be right back. Would your band like to be in next years florida citrus parade . Holiday tours at these are the best seats in the house. Just get out here and sit on the curb or if you bring a lawn chair, that might be nicer. Were having a good time. You having fun . [cheers applause] hey, greg and vanessa, i know youre in your comfy booth but were having the most fun because were out here in the parade right where it happens. I dont know about you but im having a blast watching all of the bands, the floats and the special guests in this years florida citrus parade. Our next performers are the bullet blues marching band hailing from south governor. A group of three High School Bands coming together to announce the programs of all three schools. Its a great idea for the schools. This unprecedented crosscounty collaboration began over a year ago. They joined forced to share resources and opportunities as well like marching here today in the florida citrus parade. Combined, theyre about 200 members strong. Blues marching band. Were certainly proud to have the florida restaurant and lodging association helping us show cause all that florida has to offer. Floridians love to share our state with our friends. So we would love to give our sunshine state. Were going to keep the music going right now. Lets take you to ohio. The oak harbor rocket marching band. The pride of oak harbor. 75 members strong. They march in todays parade. The oak harbor rockets have a appearances including performances with the toledo Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio State University marching band. Theyre joined in this parade today by their friendly rivals, the port clinton marching band. Port clinton, only 12 miles away from oak harbor. The pride of oak harbor is under the direction of mr. Travis margato. Greg, another very special float coming our way right now. The bowl legends float represents history being made here in orlando. In 1966, the morgan state fairs became the first historically black college to win a this is a beautiful float. Football helmet, the logo there. The teams flag there. Morgan state beat westchester state 146 in the 1966 tangerine bowl here in orlando. The first integrated College Football game played in the city beautiful. Representing the 1966 morgan state team are current athletic corrector floyd kerr and dr. David wilson. Former players are being honored. Will will lanier was the mvp and went on to become an nfl hall of famer. Some of the other players with us here today are akeem ali, isaac jackson, darrell johnson, early mayo, bob wade, james phillips, edward hayes and harvey palmore. Our buddy rob has a special guest. Mr. Lanier, what would you tell these young men playing in the bowl game coming up . They have an opportunity to can transcend them and their future. It allows them to recognize were here today from 50 years ago, 1966, tangerine bowl. We saw what was thought to be a major game, historically black college, White College in orlando, florida. Were here 50 years later. Anybody here playing today, 50 years from now, they might be recognized somewhere that relates to where they were, where they played and a great outcome occurred based on their performance. That was a historymaking day. Not only for orlando but also for College Football. Dont go anywhere, folks. We have more parade yet to come. We would like to pass along a very special thank you to conley citrus, teller brothers and leroy smith as the proud of citrus for todays parade. Im greg along with vanessa. Were glass to have you with us today. Happy new year our next bands name is yeah. Let me explain. The pride of the california pinto pride band comes to us from california, missouri. They are finishing up their most successful band season in almost 30 years by winning eight trophies in various competitions. The pinto pride is let by taylor jones, jared mckey and matthew hurt. In addition to appearing in the florida citrus parade, they will be a part of the holiday parade at universal studio. Lets give a listen to the pinto greg, our next float has a special message. That is send them sunshine. There is something amazing inside every speciallypackaged florida citrus gift of fresh oranges, grapefruit and tangerines. A florida citrus gift is the perfect way to spread sunshine up north or spread a healthy hello to anywhere in the country. Vitamin c never hurt anyone. Florida citrus is picked at the peak of ripeness. You can make sure your citrus arrives fresh at the door. Go to pickfla. Com and send them sunshine today. Up next, our friends from Florida Hospital for children. Look at that bear. Hannah the bear. Thats the name. With the help of walt disney imagineering, our facility features a child Center Healing environment. Pediatric specialists have dedicated their lives to helping and maintaining wellness. This is a healing atmosphere for kids. All seven floors of the hospital feature concepts, colors, sounds and themes inspired by classic disney movies. No one wants to be in the hospital but this at least makes that experience a little easier. Since 1908, the things that make Florida Hospitals different are making a big difference in the lives of the patience. Florida hospitals, the skills to heal, the spirit to care. Coming to orlando is billed as the best bowl trip in america. Theres so much for the players theme parks, the beautiful weather. One of the most memorable days however came with a visit to give kids the world. Give kids the world village, that was an awesome experience. Any time you can give back is great. Helping kids, loving on them. It was fun. For us to put a smile on their face, you know, throughout the day and play games with them, dance with them. Just be with them. Its great for us and for them. The whole experience has been everything youd want. I grew up in jacksonville. Ive been here before. To come down with the team, spend time at disney world, universal, an awesome time. I remember in North Carolina, i was telling everyone, youll love florida christmas. Wearing shorts and walking around, it will be awesome. The tarheels took on the this was expected to be an offensive battle and it was. These two teams putting up a total of 87 points on the board. In the end, baylors ground game was too much as the bears tally a bowl record 645 yards rushing. Jefferson. Baylor tops North Carolina in a shootout 4938. Our final band of the parade is coming our way right now. Travelling to orlando from tulsa, oklahoma, the Union High School renegade regiment. This is an Independent School district in oklahoma. The union bands serve over 1,000 students in grade 612. They have won a number of state, regional and national championships. Recently garnered second place honors at the oklahoma band masters championships. So what do you say . Lets crank up the volume from the Union Regiment from tulsa, this has indeed been an exciting day for all of the spectators that lined the route. We hope for you at home watching as well. Its been so much fun. Part of the unique thing about this ievent, all of the fresh fruit will be safely collected and donated to food banks across the area. Everybody wins. No question. Well, its now time for us to say so long from orlando and the florida citrus parade. Weve had a great day here. We have. So for greg and rod, im vanessa. Happy new year possible by unforgettable, natalie cole. Unforgettable her today in our time