Springtime is beautiful, especially in the City of Orange. I have lived in the City of Orange for some time, but this is my first spring as an Old Towne resident. I have been enjoying the oranges that are blooming abundantly in my backyard (please feel free to share your favorite orange-based recipes with me!) and I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see so many friendly faces around campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Our former mayor, Tita Smith, always referred to our city as Sweet, Sweet, Orange, and living here now, I can tell you that this is absolutely the perfect descriptor.

Although I’ve met a number of Town & Gown members over time, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Alisa Driscoll and I serve as the Vice President of Community Relations at Chapman University. In my role, I am responsible for serving as the primary liaison between the University and our surrounding neighborhoods. This includes the residents, businesses, City and elected officials, and nonprofits who call our community home. For those I haven’t had the opportunity to meet, I hope to have that opportunity soon.

Thank you to the Town & Gown team for asking me to contribute a recurring article in Talk of the Town. Each issue, my goal is to keep you informed of newsworthy items and exciting developments within the City of Orange. To kick things off, here are few events I am looking forward to in the coming months.

The Orange May Parade on Saturday, May 7th

Some folks may remember that the Orange May Parade was originally called the May Festival Parade, and was a fixture in the City of Orange from 1933 until its last march down Chapman Avenue in 1991. Originally, the parade marked the beginning of the Valencia orange packing season. Thousands of spectators lined the parade route to cheer on participants such as local schools, churches, businesses, and philanthropic organizations, instilling a sense of community and civic pride.

Chapman's Orange May Parade Float 2019

Chapman’s Orange May Parade Float 2019

In 2019, the Orange Chamber of Commerce revived the decades-old tradition for the City of Orange. I can say with absolute certainty that planning a parade entry is not something I ever envisioned doing in my career, but I can now check that off my bucket list. In fact, Chapman University’s float won Best in Show during that year!

This year, we’ve pulled together another impressive entry to demonstrate just how invested Chapman is in our beautiful City. Participants include Public Safety, Student Government Association, Alumni Engagement, and yes—even the ever-famous Robot Dog from the Fowler School of Engineering, who will walk the parade route with its student handlers. It’s sure to be an exciting time for all and we hope to see you along the route.

Orange May Parade - Alumni

Alumni and T&G members in the 2019 Orange May Parade

3rd of July Celebration on Sunday, July 3rd

One of the things I missed most during the height of the pandemic is the chance to participate in the City’s large events that are so unique to our community. One of my favorites is the 3rd of July – because why not celebrate our great nation early?! Community members can enjoy food and entertainment in the afternoon, which of course ends with a spectacular fireworks display. If you plan on attending, please make sure to find our booth and say hello. It’s always lovely to see a friendly face!

Chapman is proud to be an Orange Tree Partner of the City’s Community Service Department. Through our sponsorship, the University supports events like the 3rd of July, Treats in the Streets, and the Holiday Chorale and Tree Lighting. Chapman was just recognized at the March City Council meeting for our long-standing community partnership.

Please feel free to reach the Office of Community Relations at any time by emailing neighbors@chapman.edu or calling (714) 289-2097. You can also visit us at www.neighborsofchapman.com.