18 Llamas to Appear in Rose Parade

In a file photo a llama named Tuffs chews some hay in his pasture in Dillsburg, Pa., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006. On New Year's Day,2007, llamas will make their debut in the Rose Parase in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster - AP)

PASADENA, Calif. -- Llamas have waited 15 years to appear in the Rose Parade. On New Year's Day, 18 of the animals and their owners will stroll down Colorado Boulevard.

Joan Selby, a member of the Llama Association of Southern California, sent the original application to the parade committee 15 years ago.

She is not sure why it took so long for parade officials to let the llamas into the parade but suggested it might have been fear of the unknown.

"It could be that it just was not our time. Back then, llamas weren't very well known," Selby said.

Paul Holman, president and chairman of the board of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, said he has been told llamas had not been allowed in the parade because horses fear them and react as if the llamas were predators.

But he did his research and found a solution. The llamas will be staged in a separate area and have a spot toward the beginning of the parade, far from the equestrian units, Holman said.