Tuba players from IUSD high schools to accompany Pac-Man float in Rose Parade

Three decades ago, the world was introduced to a yellow, pie-shaped anti-hero who snacked on dots and evaded ghosts (unless those ghosts were blue, in which case they could be eaten). Pretty soon, arcades everywhere were infected by Pac-Man fever.

Why do we bring this up here? Well, the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man, the popular video game and subsequent cultural phenomenon, will be recognized on New Year’s Day with a float in the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade, and that float will be accompanied by tuba-playing students from six Orange County campuses, including our very own Irvine, University and Woodbridge high schools. Organized by Pat Paternoster of TubaChristmas, the 25-member band of sousaphone players will be led through the streets of Pasadena by Pete Fournier with the support of local college cheerleaders. Word is this will be the first all-tuba band in the history of the venerable parade.

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The Pac-Man float itself will stand 55 feet tall and feature characters from the pioneering arcade game. We're told it will be entry No. 78, which would place it about three-quarters of the way back in the floral procession. (That's assuming it doesn't eat slower-moving entries in front of it.) IUSD NewsFlash wishes to congratulate all of those set to participate in this year's Rose Parade. Here's hoping for blue skies – and blue ghosts.