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Pasadena doesn't have a reputation for being one of Southern California's more eccentric cities, but once a year they play host to a parade that let's the city's freak flag fly.
Often referred to as the "twisted sister" of that grandaddy of all Pasadena traditions, the annual Tournament of Roses Parade, the Doo Dah Parade was in its 39th "occasional" edition on Sunday morning, shattering expectations and laughing at norms. There never seems to be a particular theme or any standards for participants—entries are accepted as late as the day of the actual parade itself—though the entry form reads "homemade conveyances, mutant art cars and walking entries are encouraged."
As goofy as the parade lets itself be, there were a few participants who were there send a message. Members of the Revolutionary Communist Party held up a banner that read, "we REFUSE to accept a fascist America." (I wonder what they could be referring to?). Some protested the jailing of political prisoners by the Chinese government. Even Doo Dah Queen Ruby Chard and her band, Ruby Chard and the Funguys, serenaded onlookers with her "ecology-themed" tunes.
And just like they do at every Doo Dah Parade, both the participants and the onlookers had fun participating in the massive tortilla fight.
The aftermath of the Doo Dah tortilla fight. (Photo by Perhansa Skallerup/LAist)
Previously: 2015's Doo Dah Parade
