This year, Queen Imani Phoenix will reign over the 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade on Nov. 19, an event as quirky as its history.

The oddball and very untraditional Doo Dah Parade began Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 when the regulars at Chromo’s Bar and Grill in Old Pasadena noticed people camped out for the Rose Parade. Because the Rose Parade is never held on a Sunday, there was a captive audience available so the group created an alternative event, which weaved its way down Colorado Boulevard.

Since then, the parade has continued to evolve, getting some help from the Light Bringer Project, an arts and art education organization, in 1994. LBP took over the Doo Dah Parade in 1995 and uses it as part of its fundraising.

There have been years without parades, as well as more than one parade in a single year, which only adds to Doo Dah’s anything-goes attitude. As a toast to its 40th march, we asked LBP managing director Patricia Hurley for help looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

Most popular grand marshal: Charles Phoenix, Doo Dah 32, 2009. The retro satirist is noted for his television appearances and humorous slide shows and also boasts a solid online following. He wore a shiny raspberry suit, cream shirt and Mickey Mouse ears as he stood in the back of a classic car waving two American flags.

Most cutting commentary: The Toro Marching Band was a popular early entry involving synchronized lawnmower movements.

Charles Phoenix made the 2009 Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade a true part of Americana. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy of Light Bringer Project).

Toro Marching Band during the 1979 occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Sound The gallery will resume in seconds

Imani Phoenix, as Forever 69, was named Queen of the 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade during tryouts for the Queen at the American Legion in Pasadena, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. This year’s parade is slated for Nov. 19 in East Pasadena. (Correspondent photo by Trevor Stamp)

The Briefcase Synchronized Drill Team was an Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade favorite for many years. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo by Joe Messinger).

Bob Meeker’s Viking ship sailed down the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Route in 2014. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy of Light Bringer Project).



The 1986 Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade saw the Citizens for the Right to Bare Arms. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy of Light Bringer Project).

Scott Finnell of Snotty Scotty & the Hankies was in 38 of the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parades. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo by Terry Miller).

‘Zeik The Shiek’, with his pet yams as Grand Marshall of the occasional 1979 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

This spaceship was a Pasadena Doo Dah Parade entry for the Raelian religion. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy of Light Bringer Project).

Greed, The Almighy Dollar at the occasional 1979 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)



Queen Tequila Mockingbird of the 23rd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade won her reign by singing “Mack the Knife” in German. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo by Julie Klima Casey).

Kim Almanzar and Gypsy Boots in the 1980 occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Marching Briefcase Band during the occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena. (Photo by Walt Mancini/SCNG)

The Mile-High Club spoofed the airlines in the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade in 2012. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy of Light Bringer Project).

The Briefcase Synchronized Drill Team was an Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade favorite for many years. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo by Joe Messinger).



Queen Tequila Mockingbird of the 23rd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade won her reign by singing “Mack the Knife” in German. The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held Nov. 19. (Photo by Julie Klima Casey).

Best float, car or other mobile object: Viking Ship, Doo Dah 37, 2014. Bob Meeker and his friends won the crowd’s approval as they “sailed” down the parade route in a homemade Viking ship, complete with a colorful figurehead in a horned helmet. “Every year they bring great craftsmanship to their entry and, most importantly, have a blast doing it. Last year, they were The Munsters,” Hurley said.

Favorite royal response: Tequila Mockingbird, Doo Dah 23, 1998. During the queen tryouts, Mockingbird was asked if she knew who German composer Kurt Weill was. The singer, who was dressed in Louis XIV attire, whipped off her court wig to reveal green dreadlocks and launched into “Mack the Knife” in perfect German operatic style, proving she did indeed know the composer of “Three Penny Opera.” “That’s Tequila: consummate performer and artistic royal,” Hurley said.

Cleverest political entry: Citizens for the Right to Bare Arms, Doo Dah 10, 1986. This group took to the street holding naked mannequin arms high with their own equally naked arms. LBP thinks that this entry “makes a big statement and makes use of creative fun, very Doo Dah.”

Most times in the parade: Snotty Scotty & the Hankies, Doo Dah 1, 1978 through Doo Dah 38, 2015. Local musician Scott Finnell, better known as Snotty Scotty, was very proud that he had been in every Doo Dah Parade since the event’s inception. After his death in 2016, Doo Dah 39 was dedicated to Finnell and he was remembered by family and friends who covered the route with a lone bagpiper.

Shortest parade: Doo Dah 13, 1989. It was merely a pub crawl, but it didn’t lack for spirit and reflects the occasional nature of the parade, switching event dates between winter and spring and skipping and doubling up years, such as in 1978 when there were parades in January and December.

Longest parade: Doo Dah 33, 2010. This was the last time marchers tramped the breadth of Old Pasadena. However, in East Pasadena the parade travels in a loop and many entries make several circuits, rivaling the length of the 2010 course.

And finally, most memorable: The Briefcase Synchronized Drill Team, Doo Dah 3, 1979 through Doo Dah 25, 2000. Real-life investment bankers, this group decided to make fun of themselves as is the Doo Dah way. They became a signature entry for the parade and so well known that they performed in a Detroit Lions/Pittsburgh Steelers Thanksgiving Day halftime show and appeared in a Discover card commercial. The team was honored as grand marshal of the parade during its final foray down the route.

If you want to go to the 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade

When: 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.

Where: Colorado Boulevard, between Altadena Drive and San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena.

Tickets: Free.

Information: 626-590-7596, www.pasadenadoodahparade.info.