CLASSIC CARS BUT ONE HIGHLIGHT OF PARADE.

Byline: Mary Lou Aurelio Daily News Staff Writer

More than 20 marching bands, 15 equestrian groups, llamas, floats, classic cars and Shriners' clowns in tiny autos will be part of the 19th annual Burbank parade Saturday.

The parade, themed ``Cruising into the 21st Century,'' will begin at 11 a.m. at Olive Avenue and Lincoln Street. It will feature vintage vehicles from each decade, courtesy of the Burbank Road Kings classic car club, said Burbank on Parade President Sandy Dennis.

The parade will proceed east on Olive Avenue and end at George Izay Park, 1111 W. Olive Ave., about 1 p.m. The classic autos and floats will be on display until 5 p.m., and there will be entertainment and food concessions.

The floats will be smaller than those in the Rose Parade and without flowers, but the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association will have an entry, ``Love of the Auto.''

Dennis said she founded Burbank on Parade 20 years ago, because Burbank has so many active groups and organizations. ``This is a day that Burbank can be proud of - it's a fun day and people like parades,'' she said.

Bugs Bunny and Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be among the dignitaries riding in the parade, as will members of the Burbank City Council, actor John Agar of ``Fort Apache'' and Virginia Mayo of ``The Best Years of Our Lives.''

More than 500 Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are expected to carry banners announcing the classic car years. Some of the scouts also have a float entry.

The YMCA Indian Guides' float sports a teepee with a space ship and the Magnolia Park United Methodist Church float features a recreation of Noah's Ark, Dennis said.

``Each and every year it gets bigger and better,'' Dennis said. ``There will be bands from Whittier, Chula Vista, Long Beach - they come from all over.'' Joanne Miller, parade chairwoman and Burbank native, said the Southern California Orchestra and Band Association will judge a band competition, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. at Parish Place and Verdugo Avenue, before the parade begins.

She said the equestrian groups will include the Burbank Mounted Police and the U.S. Marine Corps.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be given in most categories and a trophy for the float best depicting the parade's theme will be awarded.

Miller said the parade has become a tradition that residents eagerly anticipate.

``Burbank is very community-oriented. This city is a great place to raise a family and this is a hometown parade,'' Miller said.

PARADE ROUTE

The parade will start at 11 a.m. at Lincoln Street and Olive Avenue. It will proceed east on Olive Avenue, turning left on Lomita Street, and then left again on Clark Avenue, ending at George Izay Park, at Clark and Griffith Park Drive.

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Box: Parade route (see text)