After a three-year absence, Miami's New Year's Eve is set to recover a slice of its traditional zest with the return of the Big Orange, a neon-lit herald of good tidings. The oversized citrus will ascend the Intercontinental Miami Hotel once more, marking the holiday spectacle that locals and visitors have flocked to for over 30 years, as reported by CBS News.
Despite resting in storage due to concerns around COVID-19 and a separate flu outbreak, the Big Orange—a symbol entrenched in the fabric of Miami's festive celebrations—didn't make its usual climb to usher in 2023. Instead, a virtual counterpart took center stage, projected onto a building as a digital placemark. This year, a tangible return was confirmed, bringing back the Big Orange in all its physical glory, a sentiment echoed by Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, who told CBS News Miami, "The Big Orange not only has been a part of our New Year's (NYE) celebration for more than 30 years, but it is an attraction that the thousands of residents and visitors that participate in our NYE Bash look forward to enjoying every year."
Pegged as a bustling event pulling in tens of thousands, the NYE Bash at Bayfront Park will commence its usual array of live music and fireworks at 6 p.m. on December 31. As tradition dictates, the Big Orange's 400-foot climb signals the countdown and celebration of the new year, a ritual that was deeply missed in person but which now promises to deliver its usual fanfare.
The confirmation came like a brisk wind following some uncertainty, with the creator of "La Gran Naranja," Steve Carpenter, otherwise known as Mr. Neon, revealing to Local 10 News, "it’s a big change from yesterday to today. It’s happening." The installation of Big Orange is expected next week, as signaled by public relations from InterContinental Miami. The fruit that wears sunglasses proudly has been given nicknames such as "La Gran Naranja," honoring Florida’s Spanish heritage, since its christening in 1985.
While the Orange Bowl Game's attendance intertwines with the hotel's schedule, Monty Trainer, Chairman of the Greater Miami Host Committee, assured that installation logistics are being drawn up with an earlier date in mind. "Historically, the Big Orange has been installed and positioned in front of the hotel, with a test run to follow by the 27th of December," he told Local 10 News. For those wishing to witness the return of this electric fruit, RSVPs for the free tickets are currently open.
