Parade Names Hong as Grand marshal

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Actor/director James Hong has been named Grand Marshal of Burbank On Parade scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and traveling east along Olive Avenue from Keystone to Lomita streets.

Actor and director James Hong will be the grand marshal for this Saturday’s Burbank On Parade. (Photo Courtesy Anthony Cheng)

Hong’s entertainment career spans more than 60 years and he fits in well with this year’s Hawaiian theme “Aloha Burbank!” having appeared in several episodes of the original “Hawaii Five-0”.

He has more than 500 credits ranging from film, TV and video games. He has worked with John Wayne, Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves. Currently Hong can be seen on NBC’s hit show “The Blacklist” and has voiced characters for such productions as Disney’s “Star Wars Rebels” and DreamWorks “Kung Fu Panda” franchise.

Another celebrity appearing in the parade is 7-year-old actress Julia Butters who plays Anna-Kat on ABC’s “American Housewife”. She made her television debut at age 4 on the CBS drama “Criminal Minds”. She is the daughter of Disney animator Darrin Butters and Lorelei Butters.

James Hong voices the character Mr. Ping in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. (Photo Courtesy Anthony Cheng)

The parade will feature Rep. Adam Schiff, State Sen. Anthony Portantino, Mayor Jess Talamantes, City Council members, School Board members and other local dignitaries. The colorful theme should be illustrated well by entries, including equestrian units, marching bands, like the All-City Band made up of Burbank and Burroughs high school students, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and — always a surprise — the float created by the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. The Wells Fargo Stagecoach, drawn by six horses, will make a gallant descent down the route.

Following the parade, there will be a Hawaiian luau party beginning at 12:30 p.m. in Joslyn Adult Center parking lot, 1301 W. Olive Ave. Polynesian dancers, musicians and fire twirler will deliver three exciting shows and the public will learn to hula. Adult contemporary artist Rat Pack Ricky Medlin will sing selections from the Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin era.

There will also be a classic car show of American and Japanese models, kids area with hands-on activities and community booths. Top parade entries will receive trophies during the awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Food trucks, offering everything from Maine lobster, hamburgers and melted cheese sandwiches to shaved ice and ice cream desserts, will be open beginning at 10 a.m. and staged along Griffith Park Drive and in the Joslyn parking lot. Cousins Maine Lobster will serve Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls, shrimp tacos and New England Clam Chowder. Yalla offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. For meat and fish lovers, Rushed Art Food Truck will grill up ribeye steak sandwiches, Portobello burgers and pan-seared salmon filets.