THE 118TH ROSE PARADE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Punahou marching band moved down Colorado Boulevard yesterday in the 118th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. CLICK FOR LARGE
|
|
Hawaii on the march at Rose Parade
Punahou and two "Star Wars" fans add isle flair to the parade
Staff and news service reports
PASADENA, Calif. » Hundreds of thousands of spectators bundled up in jackets and blankets lined the streets yesterday for the 118th Rose Parade that featured a salute to "Star Wars" in which two Hawaii residents joined a pack of 200 storm troopers in a march.
The Punahou School marching band, with about 242 students, was among 22 bands participating in the parade, which began with a flyover by an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber. Actress-singer Kristin Chenoweth and a dancing troupe rang in the new year with a tribute to this year's parade theme, "Our Good Nature."
Some fans came to see the parade's grand marshal, movie director and producer George Lucas, and a three-piece entry called "Star Wars Spectacular." Tory Laitila and John Williams, both of Hawaii, were among 200 people chosen to don Stormtroopers gear and march behind Ewoks swinging in trees.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Star Wars" Stormtroopers, a fan-based group known as the "501st Legion" from 22 different countries and 26 states, including Hawaii, marched in yesterday's parade. CLICK FOR LARGE
|
|
Punahou sent 242 of its students for the 5 1/2 -mile march. After a wake-up call at 3 a.m., the students, who practiced for the parade during the fall, were to assemble along the parade staging area. Three of the school's drum majors were expected to lead the marching band in Punahou's third trip to the event. Their last Rose Bowl parade was in 1999.
Temperatures dipped into the 40s Sunday night, but the sun came out early yesterday morning. Last year's parade was doused with rain for the first time in 50 years.
Many spectators spent a cold night along the route, staking out prime seats. Police said the crowd was generally peaceful, though 17 people were arrested on suspicion of various crimes, including public drunkenness.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.