Chewbacca, Wicket the Ewok and an all-American Dixie band were all on hand to help Tournament of Roses President Paul L. Holman introduce the next Grand Marshal for the 2007 Parade -- George Lucas.

"When I considered a choice for Grand Marshal I thought about all the unique aspects of our events and our organizations," Holman explains. "The challenge, then, was to find an individual who embodied the same attributes that are part of the Tournament of Roses -- bringing people together through entertainment, innovation and technology -- but mostly a spirit of permanence, something that links generation to generation -- and someone who brings joy to young and old alike. And so it was my great honor to name George Lucas as the Grand Marshal of the 2007 festivities, to preside over the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game here in Pasadena on New Year's Day."

On the front lawn of the Tournament of Roses headquarters, Chewbacca and Wicket surprised international and national press with Wookiee roars, Star Wars music, an Ewok jig and Lucas himself who was more than happy to tell reporters why he'll always love the Rose Parade.

"It's a great honor to be part of the Parade," Lucas says. "I've grown up with it as I think all American kids have. It was a major event in my household. We'd all look forward to getting up early and watching the parade. And occasionally my family would come down for the Rose Parade from Northern California, which was always a giant trip. I came to the first Rose Parade when I was about 10 years old and it was quite an experience then. It's more than amazing to be the Grand Marshal now."

"And I swear it has nothing to do with my having two Star Wars floats in the Parade," Lucas laughs. The presence of Star Wars at the parade was first announced at Comic-Con International 2006, when the event was identified as the kick-off for the 30th anniversary celebration of the saga.

As the Grand Marshal, Lucas will reside over the Rose Parade, which will include 200 costumed, marching 501st stormtroopers from more than 20 countries, as well as the world-famous Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band from Louisiana, also in costume.

To reflect the 2007 theme of "Our Good Nature," two Star Wars floats -- one inspired by the Ewoks of Endor and the other by the garden planet of Naboo -- will also be part of the Parade.

"I'm learning how to properly wave," Lucas laughs. "My only concern about serving as Grand Marshal is that I'd miss seeing the rest of the parade, so I have to figure a way around that. I'm hoping to enjoy the experience as much as I can and then see the entire parade later on television."

In addition to his Parade duties, Lucas also will perform the traditional coin toss on the field of the historic Rose Bowl stadium. Though he does warn about his possible bias if his Alma Mater is involved.

"I'm going to have to test my coin flipping abilities," Lucas says. "However, I don't know what will happen if USC is part of the championship. If they are in the Rose Bowl, I can tell you right now who's going to win that toss."

Previous Grand Marshals have included national cultural and political icons including Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, actors William Shatner, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Bob Newhart, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, athletes Hank Aaron and Pele, politicians Senator John Glenn, former Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, former U.S. presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon, and the Apollo 12 astronauts. Legendary Star Wars music composer John Williams also served as Grand Marshal in 2004.

"It's an honor to be listed with all the other Grand Marshals," Lucas says. "There's a long line of great Americans and cultural icons of this country who have contributed, and I'm proud to be included among them."

Stay tuned to starwars.com for further news about the Rose Parade. For more information, visit the official Pasadena Tournament of Roses site here.