Parade

BURBANK — On the heels of a well-attended comeback in 2006, Burbank on Parade organizers are in the midst of preparations for this year's event, titled, "Saluting those who serve." The armed forces- commemoration and patriotism theme has garnered strong support from military veterans, who are working alongside past and first-time volunteers to put on the parade on April 28, said Renee Hoenig, a parade organizer. The parade, which will begin at 11 a.m., will travel down Olive Avenue between Keystone and Lomita streets, featuring community groups, high school marching bands and local dignitaries.

With aviation as its theme this year, Burbank on Parade kicked off Saturday with a flyover by five helicopters followed by other fliers, marching bands and flight-themed floats. The rain that hit the L.A. area Friday had moved on, and the almost 100 parade entries traveled down Olive Avenue under sunny skies. One of the most popular entries came near the end of the parade, with about 25 vintage cars from the Road Kings club. Ashley Nesbit said the cars are always her favorite part, along with the Burbank/Burroughs Alumni Band.

Karen S. Kim MAGNOLIA PARK -- More than 70 adults and children from a Magnolia Park neighborhood proved Wednesday afternoon that patriotism can come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Led by a Burbank Fire Department fire engine, the residents paraded down Beachwood Drive between Chandler and Magnolia boulevards to show their respect for the Fourth of July holiday the best way they knew how. "It was lots of fun, and a lot of kids were really decked out," said Michael Shaughnessy, whose family started the parade three years ago. Children rode tricycles, bicycles, wagons and strollers covered with red, white and blue decorations as adults marched along on foot, dressed in patriotic garb.

Amber Willard BURBANK -- Marching bands, local dignitaries and residents will flood the streets for Burbank on Parade this weekend. The parade, with thousands of expected participants and even more bystanders, will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lincoln Street and Olive Avenue and travel east on Olive to Lomita Street to Clark Avenue. Burbank resident and actor Brooks Gardner will be among the parade's leaders as its grand marshal. The parade committee chose the theme "It's A Brand New Day!

Amber Willard BURBANK -- Brooks Gardner has faced down a grizzly bear, carried his horse across a ravine and kept cool while wolves circled under the tree branches where he was perched. At the end of the month, the Burbank resident will opt for an easier role, cruising through city streets in a convertible as the grand marshal of Burbank on Parade. Gardner, who has lived in Burbank with his wife, Ann, since 1989, is the lanky cowboy star of Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurant commercials.

Even as temperatures raced north of 90 degrees Saturday, Trixie Dejong was undaunted in her enthusiasm for the 27th annual Burbank on Parade. ?It?s hot, but it?s not enough to keep me away,? she said, joined by thousands of residents who lined Olive Avenue for this year?s 1950s-themed parade. At noon, just as Mayor Marsha Ramos waved to the crowd from the front seat of a restored 1960 Thunderbird Convertible, temperatures soared to 93 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Laura Sturza BURBANK -- Traveling through the city's center to boost local and national spirit, residents will wave this year's theme for Burbank on Parade -- "Red, White and Blue in 2002." Celebrating its 21st year, Burbank on Parade has participants from schools, businesses, civic groups, city officials and other locals "displaying their spirit for patriotism and the love of our country," former parade president Sandy Dennis said. Between drill teams, marching bands, floats, clowns and equestrian acts, the event will fill the city with color and music.

Jackson Bell Burbank on Parade will continue its tradition of running on the fourth Saturday in April, but will reopen talks of rescheduling the parade the next time it conflicts with Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24. Keeping the fourth Saturday in April is necessary because other events and holidays -- including Fire Service Day and National Police Week, school band competitions and Easter weekend --...

Congratulations to Sandy Dennis, president of Burbank On Parade Inc., and the rest of the volunteers for regrouping and getting the yearly event back on track after two tumultuous years. The year before last, the event fell on the same day as the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide and Armenian community members asked the city of Burbank to have the committee change the date, only a few weeks before the parade. The parade couldn't be changed at such a late date because of all the planning that goes into producing the event, which is done months in advance, officials said.

With aviation as its theme this year, Burbank on Parade kicked off Saturday with a flyover by five helicopters followed by other fliers, marching bands and flight-themed floats. The rain that hit the L.A. area Friday had moved on, and the almost 100 parade entries traveled down Olive Avenue under sunny skies. One of the most popular entries came near the end of the parade, with about 25 vintage cars from the Road Kings club. Ashley Nesbit said the cars are always her favorite part, along with the Burbank/Burroughs Alumni Band.

Not even stampeding elephants could rain on Linda Barnes' parade. When Barnes and a group of her neighbors held their first Burbank on Parade in 1982, they were entering unknown territory. The city's Easter parade was a small affair on Third Street - a far cry from the pomp and circumstance of the parade in the early 1950s that celebrated the return of troops from World War II. Nearly three decades had passed and Barnes and her friends found themselves watching the Easter parade and thought - no, knew - they could do better.

Burbank's "The Dream Machine" won the Mayor's Award for best municipal float. Jon Reeves, president of the Burbank Rose Float Assn., designed the hydraulics and many other elements of the float. That includes the bed carrying a sleeping boy at the front of the float. The bed is made of structural steel, pencil rod steel, chicken wire and a plastic cocoon originally developed to mothball ships, Reeves said. Among the Burbank volunteers were Victor and Erica Luster of Santa Clarita, who began volunteering for the Burbank float 15 years ago. Victor Luster, wearng the patch he earned for volunteering at his first parade in 1998, said it all started when they were looking for something their bored teenage son could do. -- Elisabeth Frater and Bill Kisliuk , Times Community News  

Clark Jellison has entered the annual Rose Parade float design contest since he was a Burbank High School student. Now 56, Jellison is the official float design contest winner for a seventh time for the “Just Imagine” theme entry into the 2012 Pasadena Tournament of Roses. When he was just 16 years old, his design, “Neptune’s Daughter,” took first place in the 1973 parade. This year’s sketch, with a working title of “The Great America Dream Machine,” was a design Jellison originally submitted 10 years ago that came in second for the local contest.

Mayor Anja Reinke practiced her Rose Parade wave Saturday morning, holding her elbow and upper arm stiff while letting her wrist do all the work. "I've been doing this for weeks," Reinke said. "I hope to perfect it before Jan. 1. " Reinke is preparing for her starring role, alongside former Burbank City Manager Mary Alvord, atop the Burbank entry in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Parade. The mayor wasn't the only one practicing Saturday. Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn.

Burbank is set to undertake one of the most elaborate designs ever for the city's entry into the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade, officials said. The float design, unveiled this week, will celebrate 100 years since the city's incorporation, and will be called "Centennial Celebration." "This float is really going to be the leadoff event for the yearlong celebration of our city," said Bob Hutt, the president of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. "We're excited to be setting the tone for the entire year."

Winners have been announced for Burbank on Parade: Bands: Middle School Band: first place, Clifton Middle School; Drum Major: first place, Clifton Middle School; Majorette: first place, Clifton Middle School; Drill Team, first place, Clifton Middle School; second place, Rialto Middle School; Auxiliary: first place, Clifton Middle School; second place, Rialto Middle School; Drill Team Youth, first place, Toluca Lake Drill Team; Sweepstakes,...