I love a parade. And the granddaddy of them all—the 118th annual Tournament of Roses parade—gets underway in just a few days. The event is broadcast live around the world and this year those tuning in (and watching in person) will be in for a real treat.
This year’s floral parade in Pasadena is being invaded! The “Star Wars Spectacular” will bring an intergalactic spirit – and 200 storm troopers –to the big event. Leave it to Grand Marshal George Lucas, who will be accompanied by two “Star Wars”-themed floats and an army of costumed storm troopers to make the parade an out-of-this-world experience.
Lucas reportedly invited the storm troopers to march with him in the parade. The costumed evil soliders belong to a fan club called the 501st Legion, which boasts 3,000 members and appear at fundraisers and charitable events. According to the Tournament of Roses’ website, members create their own costumes, which can cost up to $1,000 each.
Joining the storm troopers in this year’s parade are other “Star Wars” characters, including four Ewoks who will be aboard the Forest Moon of Endor float, from the “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” era. Meanwhile, The Naboo: The Garden Planet float, from the recent “Star Wars” trilogy, will carry three Queens of Naboo and two Jedi protectors.
They may not be intergalactic, but they have fur like Ewoks. I’m talking about llamas. Did you know the furry four-legged animals have waited 15 years to appear in the Rose Parade? It’s true–and on New Year’s Day, their wait will finally be over and history will be made as 18 of the animals and their owners will stroll down Colorado Boulevard.
According to news reports, Joan Selby, a member of the Llama Association of Southern California, sent the original application to the parade committee 15 years ago.
She says she is not sure why it took so long for parade officials to let the llamas into the parade but suggested it might have been fear of the unknown.
“It could be that it just was not our time. Back then, llamas weren’t very well known,” Selby told news reporters.
According to parade officials, the real reason llamas had not been allowed in the parade was because of a belief horses fear them and react as if the llamas were predators. But officials say they found a solution. The llamas will be staged in a separate area and have a spot toward the beginning of the parade, far from the equestrian units.
Related Articles: