The Citrus Bowl Parade will run through downtown Orlando on Dec. 30, two days before the Gophers play Missouri, and Wednesday, the honored guests for the parade were revealed.
According to a Citrus Bowl spokesperson, the grand marshal will be former NBA All-Star Grant Hill. Minnesota's VIP Guest will be Al-Star closer Glen Perkins, and Missouri's VIP guest will be its chancellor, Dr. R. Bowen Loftin.
Perkins went 19-5 with a 2.87 ERA in two seasons for the Gophers before the Twins signed him as a first-round draft pick in 2004. The lefthander has posted 70 saves over the past two seasons for the Twins, making the All-Star team both years.
Last year's Citrus Bowl pitted Wisconsin against South Carolina. The parade grand marshal was PGA veteran Justin Rose, and his "VIP guests" were both Heisman winners – George Rogers from South Carolina and Ron Dayne from Wisconsin.
The parade will feature the Gophers and Missouri marching bands, as well as various high school bands and citrus floats. For more on the parade, visit FloridaCitrusParade.com.
Note: Sun Country Airlines added five flights from Minneapolis to Orlando for the bowl game. Details here.
