Doo Dah Parade Turns 15 But Refuses to Act Its Age : Holidays: In Hollywood, meanwhile, the traditional Christmas Parade draws about 750,000. The crowd is among the largest ever.

The Doo Dah Parade addressed the burning issues of our time during its 15th annual promenade through Old Town Pasadena on Sunday: the preservation of America’s nude beaches, Crayola’s retirement of several crayon colors, Roseanne Barr’s alleged singing voice and Zsa Zsa Redux.

At least 65,000 people, by Pasadena police estimate, watched the spoof of the city’s Tournament of Roses Parade that has become a tradition in its own right.

In Hollywood, meanwhile, about 750,000 spectators lined the 3.2-mile route of the annual Christmas Parade--among the largest crowds in the 59-year-history of the event, which was televised nationally and beamed to 80 countries.

A float carrying grand marshal Arnold Schwarzenegger kicked off the procession of more than 100 celebrities, 14 marching bands, 12 silver-saddled equestrian units, 20 floats and 60 classic antique convertibles.

The Doo Dah’s grand marshal, by contrast, was a sociologist from the University of West Florida named Ray Oldenburg. He wrote a book that parade “Czar” Peter Apanel liked about the importance of neighborhood hangouts, such as taverns and coffee shops.

There was live television coverage from start to finish, complete with scripted witticisms exchanged by the commentators--high-pitched aerobics tycoon Richard Simmons and actress Vicki Lawrence Schultz (“not my picks,” noted Apanel, who sold the television rights to KCOP Channel 13).

As at the Rose Parade, Doo Dah spectators felt compelled to camp overnight to reserve choice curbside spots. But in this case, there were only two campers. Dave and Sandy Churchill said that when they alighted from their motor home about 5 p.m. Saturday, nobody else was there. The next earliest arrivals showed up about 6 a.m. Sunday.

By noon, the show had started and the unmistakable odor of beer wafted from the formation area, where entries such as the Synchronized Beach Chair Drill Team, the Barbecue and Hibachi Grill Team and the Claude Rains Invisible Drill Team prepared for the long march.

The Churchills, surrounded at this point by several dozen friends, also were ready. Dave Churchill, 48, and Don Schlutter, 66, both Doo Dah veterans, said they immediately noticed one difference from parades past. The pace had slowed markedly, “I guess, for the TV cameras,” Schlutter said.

Eventually, they were treated to:

The song stylings of the Lounge Lizards, amphibious creatures in leisure suits who crooned--OK purists, lip-synced--an old Frankie Valli song.

The Church of the Ornamental Lawn Decorations, founded at a MENSA convention and especially dedicated to pink flamingos. “Would you like a piece of the Holy Land?” asked believer Bryan Dietz, who distributed swatches of Astroturf.

The Action Swingers, fronted by a cave boy and cave girl, whose members met “in jails and bowling alleys,” said one.

Others marched apparently wearing nothing but strategically located canoes with bumper stickers declaring “America Needs Nude Beaches.” The banned Crayola colors made a brief reappearance. A Roseanne Barr impersonator strutted while a tape of the actress’ torturous Jack Murphy Stadium rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” blared through an amplifier and a group of baseball players in San Diego Padres jerseys cavorted.

Last year, the most popular acts seemed to be two that memorialized Zsa Zsa Gabor’s encounter with a Beverly Hills policeman.

This year, Zsa Zsa returned in a two-part skit. First, a banner announced “Zsa Zsa One Year Ago,” as the legendary slap was re-enacted yet again.

Then, the next sign trumpeted, “And Now, Zsa Zsa, America’s Secret Weapon.” Three Zsa Zsas punched three camouflage-clad Saddam Husseins who waved globes over their heads and trailed toilet paper from their belts.

The evening chill in Hollywood had many of the spectators huddling under blankets, but they rose to their feet when the Hollywood High School marching band--101 strong--passed by for the first time in nine years. Three years ago, the band had only seven members and no uniforms. But band director Joe Montgomery took over the group and led it back to respectability.

“I’m walking 10 feet in the air, can’t you see?” he said. “It’s very gratifying for me, the school and for Hollywood.”

Forty-five band members wore glittering new red-and-white uniforms, but the school still does not have enough to go around. So the other musicians wore anything red and white in an effort to match.

Mary Spencer, a 30-year resident of Hollywood, said the parade was more crowded “than ever this year. But I wouldn’t miss it. I came to see the band.”

Younger parade watchers were enchanted by a giant Mickey Mouse balloon, and they were driven to a frenzy when Bart Simpson rode by.

But William Ramsey, 6, of Los Angeles, was there for the real attraction. “I’m waiting to see Santa Claus,” he said.

Parade participants signed a greeting card that will be sent to U.S. armed forces in the Persian Gulf, said Johnny Grant, the honorary mayor of Hollywood and executive director of the parade.

“It’s a beautiful night and a glittery night for Hollywood,” Grant said.