PARADING HIS PROTEST : DISNEY FAN IN DISTRESS.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer Nick Manning admits he is a Disneyland fanatic. In the past two years, he has been to Disneyland more than 31 times. His home is full of Disneyland memorabilia mem·o·ra·bil·i·a pl.n. 1. Objects valued for their connection with historical events, culture, or entertainment: posters, publicity photographs, and other movie memorabilia. 2. . And where ever he goes he takes with him his Disneyland key chain. Now the 17-year-old high school senior has a mission: to save the Main Street Electrical Parade The Main Street Electrical Parade is a regularly-scheduled parade, created by Bob Jani, famous for its long run at Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort most summers between 1972-1975, 1977-1982, and 1984-1996. . In the past two weeks, he has spent 16 hours standing in front of the Palmdale Wal-Mart, wearing a Electrical Parade T-shirt and Electrical Parade hat, collecting signatures in an effort to save the 24-year-old parade. He has put fliers on vehicle windshields and at a church, and placed petitions in restaurants. He and a half-dozen friends - calling themselves ``The Defenders'' - have collected more than 1,000 signatures on petitions that they intend to turn in to Disneyland officials asking that parade be continued past its scheduled Oct. 15 cutoff. ``It's a Disneyland tradition - a legacy,'' Manning said. ``It's a part of so many lives. Taking away the parade is like getting rid of Mickey and Minnie.'' Manning feels that Disneyland should add new attractions but not at the sacrifice of the parade. ``Why does it always have to be out with the old and in with the new?'' Manning said. ``Just because it's newer doesn't mean it's greater.'' Manning and some friends decided on creating a petition after Disneyland announced this would be the farewell season for the parade, which features 40 floats covered with a half-million tiny colored lights and playing an electronic tune called ``Baroque baroque, in art and architecture baroque (bərōk`), in art and architecture, a style developed in Europe, England, and the Americas during the 17th and early 18th cent. Hoedown hoe·down n. 1. A square dance. 2. The music for a square dance. 3. A social gathering at which square dancing takes place. .'' ``We're not trying to boycott boycott, concerted economic or social ostracism of an individual, group, or nation to express disapproval or coerce change. The practice was named (1880) after Capt. Disneyland or hurt them in any way,'' Manning said. ``If we didn't love it as much as we do we wouldn't try so hard to save it.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Disneyland officials, the park is always trying to update its attractions and keep pace with Walt Disney's vision of an ever changing Disneyland. Spokesman Tom Brocato said many park visitors are excited about the parade's replacement, which is called Light Magic but about which park officials are keeping mum. ``We feel it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to move on to something else,'' Brocato said. ``The parade was the technology of the '70s. We want to bring in the technology of the '90s.'' ``We always listen to our guests,'' he said. ``We're always sensitive about closing anything. But it's time to keep with Walt's vision.'' Manning says he won't give up. ``We take this very seriously. Even after October 15, we don't plan to give up. We'll continue as long as it takes us to convince Disneyland to bring it back. We're going up against a big business but it's not going to stop us.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--color) Disneyland officials have announced th at the Main Street Electrical Parade will end Oct. 15 and will be replaced by Light Magic. (2--color) Nick Manning is trying to save the nighttime extravaganza ex·trav·a·gan·za n. 1. An elaborate, spectacular entertainment or display: "Washington is an extravaganza of great buildings, greenery, and monuments" Larry Griffin. by gathering petitions to try to stave off stave n. 1. A narrow strip of wood forming part of the sides of a barrel, tub, or similar structure. 2. A rung of a ladder or chair. 3. A staff or cudgel. 4. Music See staff1. closure. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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