Miami-Dade County

Downtown Miami once had a different vibe on New Year’s Eve. Take a look

By Miami Herald Archives
King Orange at Orange Bowl Parade in 1987.
King Orange at Orange Bowl Parade in 1987. Miami Herald File

The Big Orange lives as a moving neon sign on the side of a downtown Miami hotel.

But in past decades, New Year’s Eve used to be all about King Orange at a nighttime parade.

It was called the King Orange Jamboree and the Orange Bowl Parade through the years, and it marched up and down Biscayne Boulevard as spectators lined the streets. The glittery event was broadcast to millions of people across the country on network TV.

Changing times and a financial crunch eventually killed the parade in the early 2000s. Sponsors gone. Interest down. TV on to other things.

But the memories of those magical nights remain.

You may have been in the parade as a high school student. Or maybe you watched it as a kid on TV or along the side of the street.

The parade may be gone — versions ran from 1936 to 2001 — but we can still relive it in our memories. So, let’s dip into the Miami Herald photo archives for a look at the big New Year’s Eve bash in downtown Miami:

The scene

Parade scene in downtown Miami.
Parade scene in downtown Miami. Miami Herald File
In 1998, crews apply a temporary reflective material to Biscayne Boulevard, at the intersection of Flagler Street, in preparation for the New Year’s Eve Orange Bowl Parade. The material is a “secret formula” designed to reflect the colored lights used to illuminate the parade.
In 1998, crews apply a temporary reflective material to Biscayne Boulevard, at the intersection of Flagler Street, in preparation for the New Year’s Eve Orange Bowl Parade. The material is a “secret formula” designed to reflect the colored lights used to illuminate the parade. Miami Herald File
Frosty the Snowman balloon at the Miami New Year’s Eve parade in 1989.
Frosty the Snowman balloon at the Miami New Year’s Eve parade in 1989. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File
Garfield makes an appearance in downtown Miami.
Garfield makes an appearance in downtown Miami. Miami Herald File
A float in the Orange Bowl Parade in the 1980s.
A float in the Orange Bowl Parade in the 1980s.
The Orange Bowl queen in the 1980s.
The Orange Bowl queen in the 1980s. Miami Herald File

The parade floats

A company float in the 1980s.
A company float in the 1980s. Miami Herald File
Florida Keys float at the Orange Bowl Parade in the 1980s.
Florida Keys float at the Orange Bowl Parade in the 1980s. Miami Herald File
A float at the parade in 1997.
A float at the parade in 1997. Miami Herald File
A float in the 1990s.
A float in the 1990s. Miami Herald File
A float in the King Orange parade in 1965.
A float in the King Orange parade in 1965. Miami Herald File
In 1976, Orange Bowl Queen Michelle Moore stands on a float at the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami.
In 1976, Orange Bowl Queen Michelle Moore stands on a float at the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami. Miami Herald File
Hialeah Race Track float at the downtown Miami parade.
Hialeah Race Track float at the downtown Miami parade. Miami Herald File
Riding a float in the downtown Miami parade in 1960.
Riding a float in the downtown Miami parade in 1960. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

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