32nd Doo Dah Parade: One Colorful Occasion

Yesterday, the 32nd Occasional Doo Dah Parade--the anti-Rose Parade--took over the streets of Old Town Pasadena. Over 1,500 revelers were led by 2009 Grand Marshal Charles Phoenix (LAist Interview), who soaked in the glory in his hot pink suit and his Mickey Mouse ears. It was a 2-hour long "celebration of all things ridiculous in Old Pasadena, under blue skies and plentiful sunshine," according to the Pasadena Star-News.

And, oh--the ridiculousness! Costumed participants reveled in the "anything goes" vibe and came up with get-ups that were riffs on current events, pop culture, and the just plain silly. There were drag queens and dogs, Popes and Presidential hopefuls, dancers and drill team marchers. And there were honors besides Phoenix's marshaling; "Queen Skittles, this year's Doo Dah Queen, looked regal in her soft pink strapless lace gown. She rode on a horse and was surrounded by members of her royal court." They also awarded a sort of Razzy: "This year's Thorny Rose Award winner - bestowed to the the city's biggest civic pain-in-the-neck - was Ann Lau. She was the leading critic of the China float entry in the 2008 Rose Parade."

Plenty of folks lined the streets--many armed with tortillas to throw--but we're happy that many were armed with cameras, because our LAist Featured Photos Pool on Flickr was bestowed with evidence of the colorful hilarity. Here are some of the best shots from yesterday's Doo Dah Parade.

Laugh Or Be Rabbit Food | Photo by A.C. Thamer via LAist's Featured Photo pool on Flickr (Photo by A.C. Thamer via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)

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