Mark R. Madler
When Burbank on Parade steps off this morning, what the audience will
see is the culmination of nine months of work from its chairwoman and
a 30-member committee.
Chairwoman Joanne Miller said she and the committee work to put
together a parade that they and the city can be proud of.
"I find joy in the happiness it brings to the citizens of our
tight-knit community," Miller said.
A business owner and mother of three, Miller has been Burbank on
Parade chairwoman since 1987, just two years after becoming involved
with the organizing committee.
Sunder Ramani, manager of Beauty Kiss Floor & Window Covering,
knows Miller through the Burbank Chamber of Commerce as well as
various committees and fundraisers. He called Miller a thread that
holds the community together and makes sure the institutional memory
does not fade.
"There are people with 1% of the activities that Joanne does who
would not step up to do anything," Ramani said. "And here she is,
stepping up to the challenge."
Born and raised in Burbank and a proud alumna of John Burroughs
High School, Miller started marching in the parade when she was 10.
From time to time, she still participates as a majorette with the
Burbank-Burroughs Alumni Marching Band and Drill Team and will do so
today.
"Parades are in my blood," Miller said.
The 23rd annual Burbank on Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. today,
and will march east along Olive Avenue from Keystone to Lomita
streets. Nearly 240 groups and about 4,000 people will participate.
The parade will conclude its run with an awards ceremony in George
Izay Park. Also at the park, a crafts fair will be open from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., a talent showcase will run from 2 to 4 p.m., and the cars
that carry the celebrities and dignitaries will be on display.
Having other activities for people to enjoy other than the parade
is a goal of the organizing committee, Miller said, adding, "we've
always tried to expand it to make a full day of family fun."
