Downtown Miami

Miami used to look like that at New Year’s? See what lured us to downtown streets

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 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 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.

Join us as we relive the parade. Let’s dip into the Miami Herald photo archives for a look at the big New Year’s Eve bash in downtown Miami:

The floats

In 1961, “King Orange” take the spotlight at the annual New Year’s Eve parade in downtown Miami.
In 1961, “King Orange” take the spotlight at the annual New Year’s Eve parade in downtown Miami. 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
Hialeah Race Track float at the downtown Miami parade.
Hialeah Race Track float at the downtown Miami parade. 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
A float in the in the King Orange parade in 1965.
A float in the in the King Orange parade in 1965. Miami Herald File
The Tropicana orange juice float in the late 1980s at the Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Miami.
The Tropicana orange juice float in the late 1980s at the Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Miami. Miami Herald File
A float in the 1990s.
A float in the 1990s. Miami Herald File
A float at the parade in 1997.
A float at the parade in 1997. 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 company float in the 1980s.
A company float in the 1980s. Miami Herald File

The bands

Hollywood’s Shrine Band struts in the King Orange Jamboree Parade in downtown Miami in 1965.
Hollywood’s Shrine Band struts in the King Orange Jamboree Parade in downtown Miami in 1965. Miami Herald File
A cheer for Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl Parade in 1990.
A cheer for Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl Parade in 1990. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
A band marches up Biscayne Boulevard in 1978.
A band marches up Biscayne Boulevard in 1978. Miami Herald File
The Coral Gables Senior High Band at the parade in the 1990s.
The Coral Gables Senior High Band at the parade in the 1990s. Miami Herald File

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 Years 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 Years 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

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