BURBANK ON PARADE CANCELED ORGANIZERS SEEK YOUNGER VOLUNTEERS FOR `06.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

BURBANK - Burbank on Parade, the landmark event that has drawn thousands of spectators for the past 23 years, has been canceled by organizers, who said the task had proved too tough for their aging and diminishing volunteer base.

The parade had been scheduled for April 23, when at least 100 volunteers would have been needed to organize the scores of entries. Organizers hope to revive the event next year, but say they'll need new blood in order to make it happen.

``Our people have retired and moved,'' said Sandy Dennis, president of Burbank on Parade. ``So now we're out and we're looking for the young ones to start it again.''

Previous parades have drawn 150 entries and up to 20,000 spectators. Comedian George Lopez was the grand marshal last year, when the theme was ``Let Us Entertain You.''

Organizers had not yet picked a theme when they canceled this year's parade.

``We'll miss it, it's fun. A lot of kids get involved, a lot of bands from across the nation come out and participate,'' said City Councilman Todd Campbell.

``Anything that brings us together as a community is extremely important. And certainly the Burbank parade is one of those events that brings people out, where they can laugh together (and) where they can identify with each other,'' Campbell said.

From 1947 to 1957, Burbank had an annual parade organized by the city's Junior Chamber of Commerce. The parade was revived in 1982, and its organizers have been involved since then, but many of them are in their 60s and unable to make the effort they have in years past, Dennis said.

``The decision wasn't an easy one for us to make, not to have a parade this year,'' Dennis said.

Burbank on Parade received $13,000 from the city, and relied on business sponsors to round out its annual budget.

In the coming months, Burbank on Parade will also reach out to businesses and organizations to bring in new volunteers.

Among the organizations that regularly participate in the parade are the Road Kings of Burbank, the Burbank Community YMCA, Burbank schools, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and the Cartoon Network.

The War Horse and Militaria Foundation was in the parade last year, sending equestrian teams in the uniforms of the Scots Greys of 1815 and the British 17th Lancers of 1879. Fritz Bronner said his group had hoped to participate again this year.

``It's a great time of the year (for a parade). It's not too hot, it's not too cold and you have a lot of the high school bands that are able to participate because school's still in,'' Bronner said.

The Road Kings of Burbank supply the convertibles that celebrities and dignitaries ride in on parade day, and club members roll down the parade route in hot rods, antique vehicles and modified classic cars. The group is disappointed about the cancellation, but ready for next year, said spokesman Don Baldaseroni.

``We know that there's light at the end of the tunnel and next year it's going to be bigger and better,'' Baldaseroni said.

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com