Rose Parade pooper-scoopers do dirty work

Jason Georges/KPCC

Following each equestrian group, the white jumpsuit clad pooper scoopers received enthusiastic applause as the did their dirty work along the 2010 Rose Parade route.

PASADENA — Hundreds of volunteers make the Rose Parade happen each year — even the lowly pooper-scoopers who clean up after the prancing ponies.

Students from Pasadena Community College and Marantha High School dragged themselves out of bed at 2 a.m. on New Year's morning and armed themselves with shovels, overalls and rolling plastic trash cans.

Their task is to clean up after Appaloosas decorated with feathers, cowgirls on quarter horses and Buffalo Soldiers.

Annie Sommers, a 16-year-old softball player, declared her white coveralls "hopelessly ugly." She accessorized with a plastic flower in her hair, rose earrings and a scarf.

Despite the dirty work, Sommers says she's happy to participate in a world-famous parade. She says jokingly she'll try out for Rose Queen next year.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.