Monday, February 15, 2010

Pasadena Doo Dah Parade moves event location

Daring to go where no parade has gone before, this year’s May 1st Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will venture eastward for the first time in its colorful history. While the alternative event has enjoyed much popular success in the Old Pasadena retail and entertainment district, organizers are excited to bring the eclectic parade to the town-like setting of East Pasadena. “Old Pasadena has been a terrific backdrop and host for the Doo Dah Parade,” says organizer Tom Coston. “But with Doo Dah we see an opportunity to keep it fresh and interesting. We fondly leave Old Pasadena on the cusp of predictability. We look upon East Pasadena as an exciting frontier with its own local character and possibilities.”

The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade originated in Old Pasadena, then “Old Town,” in 1978 as a spontaneous grassroots event. Known as the “Other Parade,” it soon gained national attention as the eccentric alter-ego to the Tournament of Roses. East Pasadena, which boasts many small businesses and shops, is part of the Lamada Park District. Lamanda has a unique niche in Pasadena as it attracts more of a pioneer type of business. These businesses are what created the modern identity of the creative industrial arts that are located here. And who knew that at one time, this area had the largest winery in Southern California!

Pasadena resident Joe Colletti, Executive Director of the nonprofit, Mama’s Small Business Kitchen Incubator in the area says, “What we like to see is people venturing to a different part of Pasadena. There’s no doubt Doo Dah will bring more people to our neighborhood and that’s only going to be good for us.” Poo Bah Records, which started in Old Pasadena on Fair Oaks in 1971, is now settled on Colorado Blvd. in East Pasadena. Owner Ron Stivers says he is thrilled with the news, “I’ve been here for 6 years now, and have enjoyed plenty of parking, twice the space and have quadrupled my collection of music. It’s great to have Guitar Center next door, and the Colorado Bar after work. Doo Dah Parade moving here, with the mom and pop stores feels right, it’s like the Old, Old Town.”

The MayDay Doo Dah Parade will take place on Colorado Boulevard between Sierra Madre and San Gabriel. The exact route will soon be announced.

WHAT: Over 1000 revelers will be led by Snotty Scotty and the Hankies at this year’s Doo Dah, featuring entries like the Electric Squirrels, Martinis in the Morning, Howdy Krishna, Stupidiotic Evolution, Mystik Krewe d’Dieux Dah, Zombies of Debt, Flying Baby Street Racing and Stroller Cross, LA Derby Dolls, Dead Robert Palmer Girls, Drunk in the Garage, and classics like the Benzedrine Monks, BBQ & Hibachi Marching Grill Team, Amnesty International, Raelian Religion, Doo Dah Random Dancers, Wicked Tinkers, Bastard Sons of Lee Marvin, Caesar’s Circus, Fabulous Sons of Ed Wood, Horses on Astroturf, and AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!
For public information and to sign up for the Parade call (626) 590-1134 or visit our event website at www.pasadenadoodahparade.info

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