MUCH A DOO DAH ANNUAL PARADE CAPTURES COMMUNITY'S COMIC SPIRIT.Byline: Becky Oskin Staff Writer Perhaps the most telling description of any parade is what the procession of marchers leave behind. Mangled tortillas, half-eaten hot dogs, stale toast and Silly String marked the 25th Doo Dah Parade The Doo Dah Parade is a popular farcical and flamboyant parade held in Pasadena, California on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Founded in 1976 as a response to the traditional formality of the Rose Parade, which is also held in Pasadena, the Doo Dah Parade features absurd parade route Sunday, remainders of a pageantry of incomparable excess. From classics such as rock band Snotty Scotty and the Hankies to estrogen-deprived newcomers the Hot Flashing Mommas, the spoof of Pasadena's famous New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. event lived up to its outrageous reputation. Longtime favorites the Barbecue and Hibachi Grill Team were back, shooting hot dogs into packed sidewalks with their custom ``Dog-a-Pault.'' Tossing food is a venerable Doo Dah tradition. Toastmasters International sent stale toast aloft, the Samoyed Club flung miniature marshmallows, and spectators threw tortillas. ``It's surreal and a lot of fun,'' said Kavita Sharma, this year's Doo Dah queen. Carried by litter through the streets, Sharma greeted spectators with a perfect wave worthy of that other parade. The parade's inclusive spirit meant there were several queens Sunday, including the Dead Rose Queens drill team, the Blows Queen (who handed out balloons) and Opal, Queen of the Pugs For other uses of "pug", see Pug (disambiguation). Pugs is a compiler and interpreter for the Perl 6 programming language, started on February 1 2005 by Audrey Tang. Overview . The grand marshal was performance artist Norton Wisdom. In a nod to current events, one marcher came costumed as both President George Bush and Osama bin Laden Osama bin Laden: see bin Laden, Osama. , a pantomime of Bush riding on bin Laden's back. Buxom spectator MaryAnne Fahrner of Culver City displayed her assets (another Doo Dah tradition) in a skimpy skimp·y adj. skimp·i·er, skimp·i·est 1. Inadequate, as in size or fullness, especially through economizing or stinting: a skimpy meal. 2. Unduly thrifty; niggardly. but patriotic flag outfit and red fishnet tights. And the Pasadena Police Department The Pasadena Police Department is the police department serving Pasadena, California The headquarters of the Pasadena Police Department is located at 207 North Garfield Avenue in Pasadena, just a few blocks from the Pasadena City Hall and Paseo Colorado. , on hand for parade security, received cheers and applause from the crowd, trinkets from those in the parade and more than a few up-close and personal belly dancing demonstrations. Many of the spectators Sunday were sunburned sun·burn n. Inflammation or blistering of the skin caused by overexposure to direct sunlight. tr. & intr.v. sun·burned or sun·burnt , sun·burn·ing, sun·burns To affect or be affected with sunburn. but happy, proof that Pasadena's beneficent be·nef·i·cent adj. 1. Characterized by or performing acts of kindness or charity. 2. Producing benefit; beneficial. [Probably from beneficenceon the model of such pairs as weather favors more than just the Rose Parade. Chatsworth resident Diane McDougall took to the shade with a tall Dr. Seuss hat and toasted the parade with spirits. ``I just love this parade. I've been here all 25 years. Or maybe I missed two years. Make that 23 years. No, I've been here all 25,'' McDougall said. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Marchers with houses on their heads perform maneuvers in Sunday's Doo Dah Parade. (2) Doo Dah Parade sidelines also featured plenty of silliness. David Sprague/Staff Photographer |
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