On Saturday, April 29 the New York Film Academy Los Angeles participated in the annual Burbank Parade. This year’s aloha theme saw plenty of leis, grass skirts, and palm trees. Many of the local groups NYFA works with were involved in the parade including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, the Burbank Rose Bowl Committee, and the Walt Disney Company.
“It is important for the New York Film Academy to be part of our community. We help the Coordinating Council with holiday gifts and food. The parade is a celebration of Burbank. Of course it is important that we are part of the celebration as well,” said Head of NYFA C.A.R.E.S. Paul McKenna.
Burbank heroes like Debbie Reynolds and Ron Howard have been honored at past Burbank parades. This year Burbank business owner and actor Joe Mantegna attended the procession and honored our veterans.
Along the parade route students handed out NYFA pendants as onlookers waved to the students and faculty member inside the truck. The vehicle was covered with NYFA banners displaying different programs at the New York Film Academy. Colorful images of the tropics, streamers, and flowers brightened up the atmosphere and every participant was bestowed with a brightly colored lei.
At the end of the day the float walked away with a third place ribbon for Best Non-Commercial Float. This was our second year in the parade and we came in third place. That level of approval and acceptance shows that Burbank has welcomed us and our role in the community will only grow,” McKenna said of the honor.
The New York Film Academy would like to thank our neighbors in Burbank, CA for letting us be a part of the show, all of the students who came out to make this a wonderful experience, and the staff who were there to support the work.