By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The La Cañada Rose Parade float, titled “Up A Creek,” apparently tickled the funny bone of tournament judges who presented the self-built float with the Bob Hope Humor Award.

“It was great to win the award,” said La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. President William Pounders. “I think this was an exceptional float this year – both in animatronics and in [design].”

This was the 38th year that the City of La Cañada had an entry in the annual New Year’s Day parade and the seventh humor award earned. In all, the city has garnered 27 awards over the years.

Pounders said that per the association’s charter, the entry is always “whimsical.”

Like all the city’s floats, “Up A Creek” was built on the backlot of the Foothill Municipal Water District. It was then wheeled out to the parking lot of Flintridge Preparatory School, under the freeway overpass, for decorating. Pounders estimated that over 35,000 volunteer hours were invested in “Up A Creek” with over 1,000 volunteers dedicating their time over Christmas week.

Though it’s nice to win an award, Pounders said that’s not the motivation that brings out the volunteers who, even in the near-freezing wee hours, come to decorate.

“We do it for fun and the enjoyment of seeing it in the parade,” he said.

  robin goldsworthy