Doo Dah Parade celebrates 20 years of silliness

PASADENA, California (CNN) -- What began as a spoof of the Tournament of Roses Parade has become a revered Pasadena pastime and a tradition in its own right.
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Now, thousands line the streets of Pasadena for the annual Doo Dah Parade. Sunday was the 20th year for the zany procession, where anything goes.

Among this year's participants were characters pegged to the latest headlines: a Michael Jackson look-a-like pushing a baby stroller and mock CIA agents brandishing signs encouraging spectators to "Buy crack, make the world safe for democracy." The latter was a play on allegations that the CIA allowed Central American drug dealers to peddle their goods in the United States.

The parade brought the usual crowd of perennial Doo Dah favorites like the Texas Chainsaw Orchestra.

This year's grand marshal was Dr. Demento, host of his own offbeat syndicated radio show.

"It's been my lifetime ambition to be the grand marshal of the Doo Dah Parade," he said. "I mean, I'm famous for zany and irreverent music, and isn't this the zaniest and most irreverent parade you ever saw?"

The satirical success of the Doo Dah has not been without setbacks. Two years ago, organizers scaled back the parade and charged admission, a move prompted by unruly tortilla- tossing crowds. But when that failed to contain the mayhem, a scaled-back Doo Dah returned to the streets.

It's a strategy many spectators believe is working well. Still, they haven't lost their sense of humor. Asked what they were looking forward to most, one parade watcher said, "the toilet procession."

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