Get ready for a wild and unpredictable ride at the Doo Dah Queen tryouts this Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Old Towne Pub in Pasadena.
The event will feature contestants of all genders, shapes, ages, and persuasions vying for a very coveted crown – and a chance to lead the 44th annual Pasadena Doo Dah Parade in Old Pasadena on Nov. 19.
The Doo Dah Queen Tryouts have become a legendary part of the parade, attracting former queens who will serve as judges, as well as veteran parade entrants and curious onlookers.
During the tryouts, each contestant will have five minutes to impress and entertain the judges, showcasing their unique talents and personality. Expect the unexpected.
Over the years, the parade has witnessed the coronation of colorful and eccentric queens including “Sassy but Classy” Jennipha, Patrizzi Intergalactica, Red Rosie, Naughty Mickie, Tippi Headtrip and the Lost Language, Tequila Mockingbird, MeowMeoz, Susann of “Good Vibes, House Parties & Jabberwocky Jerk Sauce,” and the inaugural queen in 1978, “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom,” Dorothy Romani.
The tryouts will kick off at 4 p.m. and the winner will be crowned at approximately 6 p.m. — or not, it depends on how events unfold, actually. Throughout the day, attendees can also enjoy live music and entertainment until 8 p.m. This event is for ages 21 and above.
Known as the “twisted sister” of the conventional New Year Rose Parade, The Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade on Nov. 19 will celebrate its 44th year of irreverent frolicking.
Notable his year: the parade, produced by the Light Bringer Project and the Doo Dah Preservation Society, will return to its original route in Old Pasadena.
The parade promises to deliver a spectacle of imaginative and zany art cars, mutant vehicles, marching “bands,” punk bands, performance artists, and disruptive political pundits. It also welcomes veterans such as Art Car Garage, Flying Baby, the Sierra Madre City College Marching Turkey Band, Radioactive Chicken Heads, and many more.
This year, newcomers like Indigo Bruise punk band, and the League of Women Voters of the Pasadena Area’s Get Out the Vote campaign, are joining the parade.
While there’s a cover charge during the Queen tryouts, the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade is free to watch. You can grab your lawn chair and indulge in the eccentricity and satire of this already nationally-known event.
For those interested in participating, whether they have a homemade conveyance, an art car, or an affinity for country-western schtick, simply visit the official website, https://pasadenadoodahparade.info and fill out the entry form to secure a spot in this peculiar and entertaining extravaganza.
And mark your calendars for Sunday, Nov. 19, and join the actual festivities at the 44th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade inOld Pasadena. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that promises to amuse and entertain like no other. No exaggeration.
