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Photo Gallery: 42nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade


Described as "an irreverent alternative to the traditional formality of the Rose Parade", this version of the Occasional Pasadena Doo Parade was held on Nov. 24, 2019. It's now 2023, and I recently realized the nearly-full hard drive on my desk has thousands of never-before-seen photos from events and places of interest. As it's said, "better late than never", so I hope you enjoy these unusual sights from this unusual event...

Doo Dah Rocks! on a megaphone at the Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena - photo by KilmerMedia

Musicians of a pizza brigade marching at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Coffin Car at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

A man sitting on a car holding a cardboard gun and wearing cardboard "armor" at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

The Great Firewall of China Marching Brigade at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Two dogs in a remote controlled car at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

A man wears a Raggedy Ann outfit while riding a motorcar with sidecar at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

tortillas on a car windshield at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

A custom, tall vehicle at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Church of the SubGenius participants at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Participants at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

"I am the hoax" Donald Trump display at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Sgt. Psyclopps of the Radioactive Chicken Heads band at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Parade participants riding in the Nova Star UFO Art Car at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

The Grinch on a sleigh at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

2018 Doo Dah Czar's Trophy banner at the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Pastafarian of the Radioactive Chicken Heads band at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Super Trump character at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade - photo by KilmerMedia

Nova Star the UFO Art Car parked near the 2019 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade route - photo by KilmerMedia

Pasadena Doo Dah Parade t-shirt reading "Life is too short to be serious all the time."

If you're still wondering how and why this is a thing, lemme talk about it a little more. As the official narrative goes, some buddies were drinking at a Pasadena bar in 1978 and had an idea to organize, essentially, an anti-Rose Parade. That latter event is impressive, but its traditions and organization can be seen as a little too polished... as uppity, rigid, and stuffy. The Doo Dah Parade aims to be weird and to just have fun. Years after this experience, some of the above photos conjure up memories that still make me laugh. I've smiled while watching the Rose Parade, but haven't ever laughed, and I think that's the point of the whole thing.


In the years since that fateful day at a bar in 1978, other Doo Dah Parades have sprung up, in Columbus, Ohio; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Ocean City, New Jersey.


Good news - in 2023, the 44th "Occasional Doo Dah Parade" is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19.


More info can be found here: https://pasadenadoodahparade.info/


 

"Photo Gallery: 42nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade (2019)", published in 2023 by Justin J. Kilmer


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All images and media on this site are © by Justin Kilmer, unless otherwise noted.

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