Welcome, visitors! Today, Nov. 24, 2024, marked the 45th "occasional" Doo Dah Parade. For the uninitiated, this event runs through the streets of Old Town in Pasadena, California, and the very general idea is just to be weird and have fun. As also described in posts from previous years (2019 and 2023) "the Doo Dah" is considered "an irreverent alternative to the traditional formality of the Rose Parade". Themes vary, but you can always expect the parade to feature a variety of costumes, small marching bands, spectators and participants throwing tortillas at each other, stilt walkers, custom-built vehicles, and more. The whole thing (free to attend) is bizarre, and, with a smile on your face, it frequently leaves you wondering "Why?" Here are some photos from today. Feel free to share your experience or ask any questions at the bottom of this page.
This is the third time I've done the Doo Dah, and crowd control was atrocious today. The spectating area is the sidewalk along the parade route. In the middle of this particular block, though, a permanent, outdoor dining space takes up part of what was previously the right lane. As people gathered next to that structure for a look up the street, they blocked the view for others. Then, some of those people moved closer and, before you knew it, a number of people who were behind us moved their lawn chairs in front of us, in the street, and blocked our view. One woman was especially pissed and called some of those people out. She probably arrived early like we did. Some of those folks in road moved their chairs back a few feet, like that did any good. Eventually (near the end of the parade), some event staff made a really half-assed attempt to get spectators out of the street. "You have to move back to the sidewalk," one woman demanded, without breaking her stride. People acknowledged they heard her by nodding. She looked back, no one in the street had moved, she shrugged her shoulders, and continued walking.
So, this is the first time after a Doo Dah Parade that I feel compelled to spread this message: Don't be a jerk. I dealt with it today. I dealt with it at the movie theater last week, when a woman behind me had been crunching on popcorn, with her mouth open, for the first 30 minutes into the film. No one should have to call out adults for their lack of manners and, lately, it's felt more necessary to do that than unusual. We're all trying to having fun, so remember: It's not about you. It's about us. Don't be a jerk.
For everyone else, thank you for a fun time.
Social media pics (https://www.instagram.com/kilmermedia/):
More info can be found on the official site: https://pasadenadoodahparade.info/Â
"Photo Gallery: 45th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade (2024)"
by Justin Kilmer
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