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Miracle on the Mile – A Holiday Parade and Celebration returns to the streets of Downtown Coral Gables Sunday, Dec. 12 at 5 pm. Free to the public, or upgrade for All Inclusive Grandstand tickets, the parade features a vivid array of marching bands, colorful floats, horses, community groups and performing units. As the premier Festival Sponsor, the City of Coral Gables welcomes spectators to watch the procession, which begins at the intersection of Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon Blvd, heads south on Ponce and turns right to cross in front of Coral Gables City Hall.
The Junior Orange Bowl celebrates 73 -years of empowering youth, as they connect the local community and international players to competitive athletic, artistic, and multicultural experiences. New this year for the parade:
- Jonathan Fisher, a Coral Gables resident and “Jeopardy!” Champion will serve as Grand Marshal. Fisher’s 11-day streak and $246,100 in prize winnings ensures his to return to Jeopardy’s “Tournament of Champions.”
- The Community Float and Band Awards will see the addition of a “Fan Favorite” interactive vote sponsored by iHeart Media. Streetside and Grandstand patrons will vote on their favorite units with cash prizes to the winners.
- Toy drive benefiting Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the exclusive health care provider of the Junior Orange Bowl.
- The Jay Valor Band headlines the VIP/Hospitality area where in addition to premier seating patrons will have access to unlimited complimentary food and beverages. Beginning at 3 p.m. There is limited seating and tickets are available on EventBrite.com. and open to the public: $40 Adults / $10 Youth
“South Florida is the ideal spot to celebrate the holidays and we’re excited to host this premier nighttime parade in the heart of Coral Gables, our host city,” said Samantha Jones, President of the Junior Orange Bowl.
It’s not too late for the DIY at heart: The parade calls all makers, crafters, Pinterest addicts and creative types to take part in the parade and show off your entry to the thousands of spectators. It’s free of charge to place an entry in the parade. They are looking for entries of all kinds: Individuals, Families, Businesses, Organizations and Schools. Your imagination and creativity could really pay off! The organization will be presenting $500 awards to the top five Community Float entries: Best Costumes, Best Use of Holiday Theme, Best Community Spirit, Best Overall, and Fan Favorite.
The Junior Orange Bowl is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in South Florida. In addition to the Parade, they host annual competitions for Basketball, Cross Country, Creative Writing, Photography, Robotics, and Sports Ability Games for adaptive youth. The invitational Golf and Tennis championships draw elite players from around the globe. ATP Tour star Diego Schwartzman serves as the 2021 Honorary Chair for the 60th International Tennis Championship, presented by Badia. A volunteer organization, they draw upon young leaders through the Youth Ambassador program. The Festival is made possible through the support of the City of Coral Gables, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Orange Bowl, and Miami-Dade County, with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
