Pasadena's Other Parade

November 24, 2024 10:35 PM

Pasadena is famous for a spectactular parade showcasing the glorious weather of Southern California, but that one is a bit polished. In 1978, a number of the regulars at Chromo's Bar and Grill (long gone, but it existed in Old Town Pasadena along the Rose Parade route - now it's an HVAC office), decided that Pasadena needed a people's parade - and thus was born the Occasional Doo Dah Parade on a rare New Years Day with no Rose Parade (It doesn't happen on Sunday!). View the official parade archive. Chromo's patrons took advantage of the early campers providing a captive audience and marched through the still run down Old Town.

Over the years the parade has moved months, number of marches, locations and routes, but today's 45th Doo Dah was held in Old Town from Memorial Park for a grueling four blocks and was led by The International Order of Mrs Roper.

Some things to know

• The Doo Dah has been televised with Judy Tenuta, Richard Simmons, Vicki Lawrence, Tom Coston and Fred Willard in various capacities.
• The Official Band of the Doo Dah is "Snotty Scotty and the Hankies" - despite Scotty, one of the parade founders, having passed away in 2016 (band history here)
• You are not permitted to throw tortillas at the entries, but don't let that stop you
• Anyone can participate - bands and art cars are free - everyone else is $10!
• Marching order is determined by the marchers - there's no staff in charge of that!
• Some other memories including the Briefcase Synchronized Drill Team
• There are now Doo Dah Parades in Columbus, Ohio, Ocean City, New Jersey, and Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Doo Dah Parade has been run since the 90's by Light Bringer Project as a fundraiser for arts programs in the area.

posted by drewbage1847 (1 comment total)

This is very cool. I'm pretty sure my childhood babysitter, who fronted the band The Holy Sisters of the Gaga Dada, was the first queen of the Doo Dah Parade, sometime in the early 90's.
posted by deadbilly at 1:05 AM on November 25