SCOTTSDALE, AZ (December 14, 2023) – Adding into the pageantry of the 51^st edition of the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, World Champion Flag Football quarterback and team captain, Diana Flores and state championship football teams from the Arizona Interscholastic Association playoffs and their Spirit Squads will be honored as Special Guests for the Saturday, December 16, march through Central Phoenix.

In addition to Parade Grand Marshals Jake Plummer and Richard Jefferson, Special Guests are community and football champions who bring honor to youth and sports, and their successes will be celebrated in the Parade's theme of Spirit of Competition.

"The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is an Arizona holiday tradition and a signature event on Phoenix's annual calendar. We are honored to have one of the world's most influential Women's flag football players in Diana Flores whose presence will shine a spotlight on an emerging sport that continues to grow here in Arizona. Additionally, we are excited to recognize our newly-crowned state champions in all boys tackle football and first-ever girls flag football divisions," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses. "Our Special Guests and Grand Marshals exemplify inclusivity in sports and the importance of being team players on and off the field. Their combined accolades and achievements are sure to inspire our Parade fans who will line the streets of Central Phoenix and watch on live television."

Flores was born with a natural flair for the game, beginning her flag football career at eight years old. She joined the Mexican National Flag Football Team at only 16 years old and became the youngest player to compete in an international tournament. The national team experienced unprecedented success in the 2022 World Games, with Flores at quarterback leading Mexico to six consecutive wins and the gold medal. The following year she was the Offensive Coordinator of the American Football Conference's team in the 2023 Pro Bowl, working alongside NFL legend Peyton Manning. Off the field, Flores is a global icon in the fast-growing sport of flag football and was recently recognized by FORBES MAGAZINE on their prestigious "30 Under 30" List for the Class of 2024. Flores is an advocate for women in sports and serves as a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee.

Flores will also join as keynote for a Fiesta Bowl Legacy Youth Football Clinic for girls flag football on Friday, December 15, at 6 pm at Mesa High School.

"I am so excited to attend this year's Fiesta Bowl to celebrate the growing popularity of flag football and Arizona's amazing athletes," said Diana Flores, World Champion Flag Football quarterback and team captain.

Tying into the Fiesta Bowl's newest community strategic initiative, Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown presented by Super Star Car Wash, that deepened grassroots football engagement within high school football, the AIA High School State Champion Tackle and Flag Football teams and their Spirit Squads across will be featured in the Parade with their own entry as a Special Guest. The champions from the seven boys tackle football divisions (Open, 1A-6A) and the two girls flag football divisions (6A, 5A) and their spirit squads are invited to celebrate their competitive success on the field this season.

"We are honored that our dedicated student-athletes who worked so hard all year to become Arizona Interscholastic Association champions will be recognized as Special Guests in Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, which is such a community gem," said Jim Dean, Associate Executive Director at AIA. "We are so thankful to the Fiesta Bowl Organization for their commitment to enhancing youth sports and providing a spotlight through Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown presented by Super Star Car Wash. Our boys tackle and girls flag football state champions and their spirit squads will certainly enjoy this well-deserved recognition, along with their families and communities, on the statewide stage."

Along with nearly 3,000 participants, the Special Guests will join Grand Marshals Jake Plummer and Richard Jefferson on the route during Arizona's highest-attended single day event.

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe kicks off Bowl Season activities. Admission is free to the public with premium and reserved seating available for sale at $30 here. The Parade is broadcast live on Arizona's Family 3TV, online and through the AZFamily app.

For more information about the event, please visit www.FiestaBowl.org/parade.
 
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

ABOUT Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between. Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.
 
ABOUT LERNER & ROWE INJURY ATTORNEYS
Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country with 11 locations just in Arizona, over 50 total attorneys, and more than 350 total support staff. The law firm's continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. Further, the firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. Learn more about the firm and the many other community services they support at LernerAndRowe.com, LernerAndRoweGivesBack.com, and @LernerAndRowe on Instagram.

Media Contact: Scott Leightman (sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291)