Miami Courant

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is proud to announce the comeback of the iconic physical Big Orange for New Year’s Eve on Sunday, December 31, 2023. 

“I am proud to continue to support the installation of this community tradition,” said Mayor Francis X. Suarez. “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.”

After many hours of logistic coordination with the Hotel InterContinental Miami administrative team,  the Greater Miami Host Committee, Chaired by Monty Trainer, the founding producer of the City of Miami‘s Big Orange, dubbed “La Gran Naranja” for the State of Florida in 2015 in honor of the Viva Florida 500 Celebration of Florida’s Spanish Discovery, in cooperation with legacy partner Bayfront Park Management Trust, Chaired by Commissioner Joe Carollo, and Glen Sampert, General Manager of the Hotel have worked out a plan to once again produce the iconic Big Orange, which was commissioned by the Greater Miami Host Committee to be created by industrial artist Steve Carpenter, aka Mr. Neon 35 years ago. 

“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, said Monty Trainer, Chairman of, the Greater Miami Host Committee. “As the Hotel is also the host hotel for families, friends, and team members of the Orange Bowl Game, the Big Orange installation will be scheduled earlier.” 

Original source can be found here.