The Burbank on Parade Committee is in need of your support. The City Council will be discussing next year’s budget and deciding what to cut from the Parks and Recreation budget during next week’s council meeting.
In a letter received by the Parade Committee, it was stated that the City Council is considering eliminating the $10,900 it allotted for the 2013 parade. If this decision is made, it will cast an additional burden on the Parade Committee. The chances are great that if the Parade Committee does not receive the $10,900, which it needs to supply Burbank Police security during the parade, the committee will not be able to raise funds to offset this cost and the parade will be cancelled.
The Parade Committee struggled to meet the cost of the city-imposed barricades which totaled approximately $17,000, an additional expense that was a hardship for a nonprofit organization to raise.
That is why we look to you for support. We need members of the community — residents who love to attend the parade and those who appear in the parade, from organizations like Boy Scouts, YMCA members, Girl Scouts and businesses — to come to the City Council meeting on Tuesday night and voice the need to keep the parade alive. If you can’t make it to the meeting, please email City Council members to continue supporting the parade by allotting funds through the city budget.
Sincerely,
Carey Briggs
Burbank on Parade President
Entertainment took center stage during Saturday’s Burbank on Parade.
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
The 32nd annual event showcased more than 100 entries that incorporated live music, singing and dancing, in keeping with the theme “Let’s Go to the Movies!”
A swing band and energetic dancers made up the kick-off entry followed by Burbank, Burroughs and Alumni marching units, a Western band and a rock ‘n’ roll group. Grand Marshal Tim Conway Jr., talk radio host of KFI AM 640, brought his production team. Girl Scouts sang camp songs. Star Cars rolled out Herbie, the VW bug from the Disney movie “The Love Bug,” and the licorice red Farrari Tom Selleck drove in “Magnum P.I.”
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
“I believe all the participants are buying into this theme-oriented parade,” said Carey Briggs, president of Burbank on Parade. “You can see different adaptations of the theme and the way the movie industry touches all the people who live or work in Burbank.”
City officials like Mayor Dave Golonski and school district VIPs, led by Superintendent Jan Britz, waved to the more than 10,000 estimated people lining Olive Avenue from Keystone to Lomita streets.
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Rita Smith has lived in Burbank for 30 years and has seen about a dozen of the Burbank parades. Her daughter Andrea, who attends Burroughs, loved the Burbank Burroughs Alumni Band and Cheerleading Squad the best.
“And I liked when the airport fire truck shot off their stream of water and all the kids came running from both sides of the street so they could be in the water,” Smith said. “It reminded me of kids in New York City in the middle of summer opening up a fire hydrant and running through it.”
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
But nothing tops the chance to rub shoulders with friends and neighbors, she added.
“It is so much fun because you see people you know and people you work with and socialize with, not only going down the middle of the street but hanging out at the parade as well,” she said
One of the crowd pleasers was the Racer’s Edge Indoor Karting entry where employees drove the electric go karts down the parade route. Kids on the sidewalks couldn’t contain their excitement and came out in the street to get a closer look, said General Manager Bryan Rush.
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
“The crowd was great, at one point kids were in the street surrounding us, we couldn’t drive,” he said. “The kids were really excited.”
Mary Culver, a member of the Reel Cowboys, was singing on a float with several other people, who are all involved in the movie business, she said. Culver’s uncle started the movie studios in Culver City more than 100 years ago.
“We were playing ’40s and ’50s Western music from the time of Dale Evans and the crowd absolutely loved it!” she said. “We had people follow us over afterwards and say hello.”
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Francyn Serrano rode on a truck and sang Girl Scout songs with fellow members of Burbank Girl Scout Troop 419.
“It was fun!” she said about riding in the parade. “My favorite part was when we got to wave at the kids and a lot of people waved back!”
New this year was the addition of the food trucks in the parking lot behind Joslyn Adult Center.
“This is an effort in trying to bring back the old celebration in the park after the end of the parade,” Briggs said.
Rich Tamayo of TVP Studios in Burbank has a rebroadcast available of the parade so you can enjoy it again
Enjoy some pictures below or go top our SmugMug site to see all of the parade entries and people!
Students at Luther Burbank Middle School have been working for the past seven months to restore a dilapidated 1979 VW Beetle Convertible. The goal was to convert this car into the Luther Mobile and to have it carry our principal, Dr. Brian O’Rourke in the Burbank On Parade. The students, worked with Exploring Technology teacher, Joe Reed, after school on the project.
Dr. Jan Britz BUSD Superintendent of Schools in the passenger seat as Brian O’Rourke Luther Principal hangs behind the drivers seat. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
The mechanical work was completed with the help of the Warner Bros. transportation department. The students replaced the transmission, clutch, axles, brakes, running boards, exhaust system, fuel tank, and many other parts.
Fifty students worked in teams of about ten students to get the job done.
Burbank High School’s ROP animation department held a contest for the logo design. Over fifty students competed with Mariah Wood’s design being selected. She worked over 25 hours on this one Illustrator file. Ghostlight Industries, a movie car company, allowed students to come visit and learn about their business. They replaced the upholstery, carpet, rubber pieces, and painted the car.
(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
“We won a Burbank Arts for All grant for $1,000. The students also sold slushies after school to raise money to help with the expenses. Jordan Lopez from Burroughs High School’s ROP program photographed the finished project and framed and matted all of our photos,” said Reed
Students certainly learned all about the mechanical parts and functioning of a car. But the REAL lesson was articulated by the students themselves. They said they learned to: work as a team, think on their feet, reach out to the community and talk to community leaders. Most importantly, they learned that to take on an extremely complex project like this, to dream big, and then to complete it, was the best lesson of all.
Guests at Thursdays unveiling listen to Mariah Wood 17 a junior at Burbank High who design the logo on the restored 79 VW. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
They already have the idea for next school year’s project. If you would like to help with this, contact Joe Reed at Luther Burbank Middle School.
With the help of Warner Bros, and pictured are the executives that help guide the project with Warner Bros help. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Trena Pitchford – Director of Development of Burbank Arts for All and Board Member Bob Mohler SVP Digital Media Warner Bros. Telepictures Productions, after receiving a framed picture for their help in the VW project. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Suzanne Weerts and Bob Mohler BAFL Board Members, admire the the groups decal on the rear fender. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Sitting behind the drivers seat is 17 year old Mariah Wood a Junior at Burbank High School who’s art design won the logo design. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
The Burbank and Burroughs Alumni Band is looking for musicians to march in the upcoming Burbank On Parade. The band traditionally marches in the parade each year along with alumni cheerleaders and baton twirling majorettes.
Alumni Band in a past parade (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
If you are a former band or drill team member from either of the two high schools, you can be part of the Alumni Band. They especially need drummers. According to the band’s manager, Cheryl Smith McMillan, the band has a bass drum, a snare drum (but you need to bring your own sticks), and the loan of a tenor drum.
Their band uniforms are fairly simple, blue jeans or black pants, and a white Alumni Band t-shirt, or if you don’t have one, just a plain white t-shirt.
Just one rehearsal will be held, on April 6, the morning of the parade a 9:30 a.m. in the band formation area on Brighton St. between Olive Ave. and Verdugo Ave. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Olive Ave., from Keystone St. past the Olive Recreation Center in George Izay Park, to Lomita St.
For more information email McMillan at BurbankAlumniBand@Yahoo.com.
Popular radio host and Burbank resident, Tim Conway Jr. has been named Grand Marshall of this year’s Burbank on Parade. The parade is scheduled for April 6 on Olive Ave. from Keystone to Mariposa.
Burbank On Parade Grand Marshall Tim Conway Jr. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Conway, Jr. was born and raised in Los Angeles, spending his childhood around Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del Mar racetracks. He was on the air for 12 years at 97.1 FM Talk in Los Angeles, and now hosts the nightly show on the number one radio station in the country, KFI AM 640. Inheriting his comedic talents from his father Tim Conway who starred on the Carol Burnett show, Tim Conway, Jr.’s down-to-earth take on the world brings a sense of levity to daily life in Southern California.
Quite frequently on his show you can hear him talking about his love for Burbank and his enthusiastic personality spills into his personel life as he is often seen around town supporting different organizations.
Pictured are Mystie Heckler Exec. Producer, Bob Romo, Aron Bender and Tim Conway Jr. (Photo By Ros A. Benson)
He is already on the air talking about his Grand Marshall duties and promises to bring along members of his staff with him as he rides down Olive Ave.
His Dad guests regularly on the younger Conway’s radio program and recently told his son, “Comedy is in your blood…too bad it’s not on your show.” Conway’s show on 97.1 FM Talk in Los Angeles was famous for providing Southern California with a wide variety of entertaining topics including live police Chases, Hollywood craziness and current events with a twist of humor. “What The Hell Did Jesse Jackson Say?” was a favorite segment and maintains a substantial cult following to this day (it’s the stuff radio legends are made of).
You can catch his KFI AM 640 show Monday-Friday from 7-10pm.
Aron Bender will be joining Tim Conway Jr. for this years Burbank On Parade. (Photo By Ross A. Benson)
Conway’s down-to-earth take on life brings a sense of refreshing levity to those surrounded by lunatics in SoCal. Today, the Conway tradition continues. When he’s not on the air, you can find him at the racetrack with his four-year-old daughter. “I got a tear in my eye the first time my daughter was photo’d out of a win.” Tim also turned his wife onto horse racing. She’s currently banned from two local tracks for verbal attacks on jockeys.
The Burbank on Parade committee pays homage to the Media City with this year’s theme “Let’s Go To The Movies!” This 32nd annual community celebration begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6. Civic leaders, celebrities, bands, equestrian units and community groups will ride, march or trot down Olive Avenue from Keystone Street to Lomita Street.
Keeping true to its entertainment theme, the parade will have a glitzy opening, said Creative Director Wayne Poirier. Jonathan Goldman and The Big Band Swing Express performs along with some of the best swing dance couples from the area, dancing to popular movie theme songs. The BURBANK letters will depict a drive-in theater screen. Several classic cars and a moving film strip complete the opening show.
“Participants will be encouraged to dress up as their favorite movie stars and re-enact their favorite movies,” Poirier said. “The possibilities are truly unlimited and so we can expect the floats, marching bands, equestrians, and everyone to embrace this theme and have a great time.”
Masiela Lusha (Photo courtesy Masiela Lusha)
One of the local celebrities confirmed to appear in the parade is Masiela Lusha, who played the rebellious teenage daughter on the Warner Bros. TV series “George Lopez”. Her film credits include “Time of the Comet” and Sony Picture’s “Blood: The Last Vampire”. She has produced two films with her own production company Illuminary Pictures.
Her latest film, “Orc Wars”, is set for release this spring. She plays the lead role of Princess Aleya, the last remaining elven warrior, and performs a series of choreographed martial arts moves. The production was filmed in Utah.
Lusha, who lives in Burbank, will be a welcomed addition to help the committee carry out the movie theme, said Parade Chairwoman Joanne Miller.
“We couldn’t be more excited for Masiela Lusha to be joining us for Burbank On Parade’s 32nd annual parade,” Miller said. “We are hoping to attract movie and TV aficionados from all over the community and Masiela will certainly help us attain that goal.”
Parade organizers expect 30,000 spectators will be waving, cheering and helping to celebrate this unique and diverse community. Familiar characters, Bob’s Big Boy and Ronald McDonald, will join dancers, clowns, floats, marching bands and equestrian entries to make this year’s event fun for all ages, Miller said.
“Burbank on Parade is our city’s only event geared to everyone in the family,” she said. “So many citizens wait all year long to share this special day with us and we hope to live up to those expectations with this year’s production. This year’s theme ‘Let’s Go To The Movies’ depicts perfectly what life is like living here in the midst of the Media Center.”Burbank on Parade is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, run solely by volunteers. All donations go to the costs of putting on the parade for the whole community’s enjoyment. For more information, visit www.burbankonparade.comor call the parade hotline at (818) 562-7801.
The Burbank on Parade committee is seeking volunteers to help construct the parade floats in preparation for the annual community celebration on April 6. The parade is a few weeks earlier this year and there are a lot of things to do.
Creative Director Wayne Poirier is looking for painters, carpenters and artists to give their time. Opportunities to volunteer are twice a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays now until parade day at the Burbank Tournament of Roses Float Barn under the Olive Avenue bridge.
“We need creative people and people who can follow instructions,” Poirier said. “It’s a lot of fun and a chance to use your imagination!”
The parade theme is “Let’s Go to the Movies!” The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6. It travels east on Olive Avenue from Keystone to Lomita streets and ends at Izay Park. Those featured in the parade are civic leaders, dignitaries, bands, equestrian units, drill teams, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and representatives of businesses and organizations in town.
Burbank on Parade is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, run solely by volunteers. All donations go to the costs of putting on the parade for the whole community’s enjoyment. For more information on sponsorships and participation applications, visit www.burbankonparade.com or call the parade hotline at (818) 562-7801.
The Burbank on Parade Committee is having a Big Band Swing Dance Fundraiser from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, 1006 W. Magnolia Blvd. Playing music of the 1940s, popular modern jazz and a little mix of movie theme selections will be the Big Band Swing Express conducted by Jonathan Goldman.
Admission is free with donations going to the April 6 parade.
Burbank on Parade’ s new President Carey Briggs has announced that “Let’s Go to the Movies” is the theme for the parade on April 6.
The parade committee has launched a major drive for volunteers and is getting an early start on fundraising, Briggs added.
Coming up on Monday, Caminiti’s Pizza & Sports restaurant, 1220 W. Burbank Blvd., will donate a percentage of dine-in or take-out orders to the parade between 5 and 8 p.m. Customers are asked to download and print the event flier from the parade Facebook page and present it when ordering. The restaurant has pizza, salads, hot grinders and pasta.
The parade committee is organizing a fundraising comedy night at Flappers at 5 p.m. on Dec. 2. Tickets are $20.
Briggs is involved in several organizations in town, he said, because of his deep roots in the city. He was born at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and is a third-generation Burbank High School graduate. He has been a volunteer with the Parks and Recreation, Elks Club and a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 210. He is also a member of the board of directors and immediate past president of the Burbank Historical Society.
For six years, he served as the Transportation Director for Burbank on Parade, securing and organizing the convertible vehicles that take the dignitaries down the parade route. His focus now, he said, is building a strong volunteer base to run the parade and coordinate successful fundraisers that will continue the parade throughout this decade and beyond.
With that in mind, parade committee members manned booths at two events last weekend and gathered 100 names of prospective volunteers to help put on the parade. On Saturday they were at the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter’s Paws Matter Event at the Burbank Police & Fire Headquarters. Saturday and Sunday they were at the Fall Into the ARTS Festival in Downtown Burbank.
The committee held a contest at each event asking people to guess how many parade lapel pins were in a jar. The winners were Sumer Gheizzawi who guessed 350 at the Paws event. There were 351 buttons in the jar. The winner at the Arts Festival was Paul Crockett who guessed 333. There were 335 buttons in that jar. Each winner will receive two AMC theater tickets.
The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Burbank Historical Society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum on Clark Avenue next door to the Creative Arts Center in Izay Park. Parking is available in the park lots on Clark.
For information on volunteering or becoming a sponsor, email David Freedman at dsfreedman@mindspring.com.
Burbank On Parade was held on April 14, 2012 down Olive Ave from Keystone to Lomita. The annual parade features local civic leaders and groups who come out every year. Deborah Dodge is once again on mike to bring you some interviews of people on the route and Elizabeth M. Johnson brings you all the action from her camera. Once again, the editing of Cipriano Taylor is outstanding on this BurbankNBeyond production.
If you would like to see our photo gallery by Ross A. Benson, here is a direct link http://burbanknbeyond.com/?p=9512
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