Cook draws names for Rose Parade float riders

Three Huntington Beach residents have won places on the city’s 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade float, which is being built in honor of the city’s centennial year.

Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook drew the names at this week’s City Council meeting, following a contest run by the city’s Centennial Committee. The float will be in the famous New Year’s Day parade.

The winners are Patricia Pashich, Kenneth Bauer and Anita Jones. Three alternates, Sandie Justin, John Newton and Elizabeth Fok, would each ride on the New Year’s float if the winners were unable to attend.

Also picked for the float in separate drawings were: city employee Debbie DeBow, junior lifeguard Catherine Wippler and Youth Character Award winner Araceli Arizmendi. There are alternates for each of these positions as well.

— Michael Alexander