Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Frank Quesada joined Junior Orange Bowl members and guests at the historic Merrick House in Coral Gables on Tuesday, May 15, as the 64th Junior Orange Bowl Parade Theme was unveiled.
“The Junior Orange Bowl Parade is very excited about this year’s parade theme, ‘Sailing to New Adventures,’” said Kathleen Kauffman, Junior Orange Bowl Parade chair. “Through this theme, our organization joins the City of Coral Gables, the City of Miami, and the State of Florida in celebrating the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery of Florida.”
“With this event, we have a great opportunity to really showcase the many different countries and cultures represented in Coral Gables and the rest of South Florida,” Kauffman said. “We hope to fill this year’s parade with many new and exciting floats, cultural marching units and spectacular visual performers.”
Mayor Cason addressed the crowd before the parade theme was unveiled, focusing on the importance of celebrating the international presence in Coral Gables. He praised the Junior Orange Bowl for its annual parade and festival of events, which attract hundreds of international participants and families to Coral Gables each year.
The 64th Junior Orange Bowl Parade, which will take place on Dec. 30, once again will march through the streets of downtown Coral Gables along Miracle Mile and Biltmore Way. The annual parade is the flagship event of the Junior Orange Bowl Festival season, which consists of nearly 20 athletic and academic youth events that take place in South Florida.
For information, or to volunteer for the Junior Orange Bowl, visit <www.jrorangebowl. org> or call 305-662-1210.
