Last Saturday was the 35th Occasional Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena. Sort of the anti-Rose Parade. This is a goofy affair with irreverent floats and bands and attractions. Typical participants in the past have been the BBQ & Hibachi Marching Grill Team, the Shopping Cart Drill Team, the Bastard Sons of Lee Marvin, the Men of Leisure Synchronized Nap Team, The Marching Lumberjacks, Claude Rains & the 20-Man Memorial Invisible Man Marching Drill Team (although one year I counted 22), and the Committee for the Right to Bear Arms, a group that marches in precise formations while carrying mannequin arms.
What does it say about me that I've been to a couple of Doo Dah Parades but have never been to a Rose Parade? Give me absurdity over pageantry any day! Sadly, the Doo Dah Parade seems to be scaling down. Last Saturday's extravaganza was only a couple of blocks. Hardly enough to get Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards out there to cover it, even though both are unemployed.
My daughter, Annie and her writing partner, Jon were there however -- this blog's dutiful correspondents, and they file these photos.
I'm taking it as a personal crusade to see that the Doo Dah Parade next year is restored to its usual luster and goes three blocks. Finally! A cause I can believe in! C'mon, who's with me?
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| The flying baby cannon |
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| Lawnmower races |
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| Altar boys |
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| Kid swap. Unburdening oneself of children seems to be a recurring parade theme |
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| Mobile Banquet.. although it looks like rabbis having lunch |
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| Can't you just hear Bob & Stephanie gushing over that one? |
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| Every parade needs it's royal queen |
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| If Hell had a Kiwanis Club, this would be their entry |
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| This parade doesn't just look good, it smells good |
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| All eight members strong |
Thanks again to Jonathan Emerson & Annie Levine. Maybe next year you'll be the queen, sweetie. Or I will.
