We had a GREAT parade!
Check out the PHOTOS from the Doo Dah Parade on April 27th, 2013
Doo Dah is also featured in an LA Weekly slideshow!
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Order your 2013 Doo Dah Parade T-Shirt online today! Show your support and pride for the Doo Dah Parade! Special thanks to Bill Brzykcy of The Barbecue & Hibachi Marching Grill Team for designing the shirt! You can purchase your shirt from our ONLINE STORE HERE. Shirts are $12 plus $5 for shipping.
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Frank Girardot receives the 13th Annual Thorny Rose!
It’s official! The 13th Order of the Thorny Rose has spoken. This year’s recipient is Pasadena Star News editor Frank Girardot. The honor is bestowed annually by a secret panel of judges to a local personality who has generated significant controversy in the greater Pasadena community.
Girardot, who also has a regular column, has used the newspaper as a platform to take aim at iconic personalities and institutions, which have included Paul McCartney, President Barack Obama, Pasadena City Hall and the Roman Catholic Church. It can be said that political correctness and sitting on the fence are not among Frank Girardot’s top priorities. “If the day comes that those traits define him, it will be time for a huge reality check,” said parade organizers. “Frank is definitely a throwback to the days when reporters dug in to get their story. In so doing, he has ruffled plenty of feathers along the way.”
As is the tradition for Thorny Rose winners, Frank will be invited to receive his award in public and be driven along the route of the 36th Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. The unique “Other Parade” takes place on Saturday, April 27th, stepping off at 11:00am at its new Colorado Boulevard location in East Pasadena. The only Thorny Rose awardee to pass up the invitation was local gadfly Wayne Lasvardi and development watchers Pasadenans for a Liveable City. They were consequently replaced by a man in a chicken suit who rode on their behalf.
The prickly honor, bestowed once a year on a Pasadena citizen, or group of citizens, and has been euphemistically called the city’s “biggest pain-in-the-ass award.” Previous recipients have been Charles Cherniss, Roy Begley, the entire PUSD School Board, school critic Mary Dee Romney, West Pasadena Residents Association, Wayne Lasvardi, Ann Lau and the Falun Gong, Friends of Hahamongna, Pasadenans for a Liveable City, and last year’s Thorny Rose, All Saints Reverend Ed Bacon. Paul Little, former city councilperson, received the honor two years in a row!
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All Hail Queen Susann of the 36th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade!
Susann Edmonds was given the royal nod by a motley assembly of 50 judges and 250 spectators at the American Legion Bar in East Pasadena on Sunday, April 7th. She got stiff competition from Mia Bonadonna (3rd runner up) who incorporated four large pizzas into her performance and Tanya Piana (2nd runner up) who danced in burlesque style with pasties set to a punk rock tune. The belly dancer extraordinaire, Narayana, was 1st runner up. Susann, an Altadena resident, wowed judges with her singing enthusiasm and homemade cocktail elixirs.
Her royal majesty and her royal court, comprised of all the queen hopefuls, will entertain the parade on Saturday, April 27th, at 11 oclock in the morning. Queen Susann will lead the Queen’s Court, made up of her friends and royal followers. All those who tried out for Queen are encouraged to come and roll with the Queen’s Entourage!
Photo by Julie Smith
Photo by Kelly Phillips
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Alan Zorthian, architect, art lover and proprietor of Zorthian Ranch, will serve as Grand Marshal of the 36th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade.
Zorthian, son of well-loved bohemian couple Jirayr and Dabney Zorthian, has been responsible for renewing the life of the unique multi-acre property in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Altadena.
Alan also hosts an annual International Folk Music Festival, and has invited the Institute for Urban Ecology to create an urban farm on 22-acres of ranch property. Now the Zorthian Ranch not only remains the site of eclectic cultural gatherings, it will become a hub for ecological workshops and organic ‘growing.’
Upon being notified of his selection, Alan who sounded like he was in his car, paused then uttered, “I’m flabberghasted!” adding “I am not my parents but I gladly accept the honor!” he said.
Parade organizer Tom Coston says Zorthian has all the qualities a Doo Grand Marshal should possess. “Alan has always been a big supporter and friend, he carries the Zorthian torch proudly and has Doo Dah in his DNA.” he explains.
The new Grand Marshal will lead hundreds of Doo Dah marchers and revelers on Saturday, April 27th, stepping off at 11am in East Pasadena.
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