Miami's iconic Big Orange will be getting a new name as part of a three-year Spanish heritage celebration in the Magic City.
The famous sign that rises 400 feet up the Intercontinental Hotel every New Year's is being renamed "La Gran Naranja" as part of the celebration which begins Jan. 1, 2013.
It's all part of the Viva Florida 500, the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon's arrival in Florida and the Spanish contributions to Florida history. The Spanish explorer brought the orange to Florida in 1513.
25th Anniversary of Big Orange
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Big Orange, which was given a new animated face.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Spanish Ambassador Christina Barrios and others discussed the name change at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Miami's Big Orange Rings in New Year's
"Some people will probably be asking 'why the name change,' from the Big Orange to La Gran Naranja, that could be a controversy," Regalado joked.
