TRAVEL AND VIEWING TIPS WILL HELP MAKE IT A GREAT EXPERIENCE 

America’s New Year’s celebration is seen in person by 700,000 people and worldwide by an estimated 80 million, but for folks who come to see the Rose Parade, there’s a week of events to personalize the experience.

Events surrounding the Rose Parade involve no less than pre- and post-parade float viewing, Bandfest, Equestfest and a general air of revelry in Pasadena.

Every Rose Parade float tells a story, and at the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2015, the tale will be one of inspiration.

Tournament Pres. Richard L. Chinen, who chose the theme of “Inspiring Stories” for the 2015 Rose Parade, draws his inspiration from the 935 volunteers who make up the Tournament of Roses Association and from the unique experience of the parade itself.

Plan ahead In the sections below, we take a closer look at many of the events surrounding the Rose Parade and offer specific tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your visit.

Each section addresses public and personal transportation options, appropriate dress, what to bring and what to leave at home, and handicapped access. TAP cards for Metro use may be purchased and refilled at vending machines at Metro stations. For detailed public transportation information and maps, go online to Metro.net.

For Information The Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau operates a Tournament of Roses Hotline at 877- 793-9911 from Dec. 29 and Dec. 31, 2014, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 30, 2014 and Jan. 1-2, 2015, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is staffed by volunteers, and lucky callers may get to speak to a Rose Princess, or even the Queen. The website, www. visitpasadena.com, posts maps and a smart phone app to download that gives you access to information about Pasadena dining and attractions.

Float Viewing Viewing days and times have been extended this year, so visitors have more opportunities to see the floats take shape during “Deco Week,” the final rush before the Rose Parade when all the fresh on New Year’s Day in ished creations resplendent the rainbow colors of natural materials. One of the best ways to appreciate the artistry that goes into making it when it’s still a work in progress.

Every square inch of a decorated with some sort of botanical material, unless a variance is obtained.

Hundreds of volunteers for judging on the afternoon of Dec. 31. Visitors in progress and talk to the decorators, and sometimes, on volunteers, they can get in on the action by asking if extra help is wanted.

Expo Village area in the days before the Rose Parade. The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Tournament of Roses volunteers put together Expo Village, a sort of a mini-fair, with exhibits, activities, entertainment, and a food court.

Expo Village is a great place to pick up a quick lunch or snack. Vendors include El Cholo, Pie ‘n Churros and pretzels from Nacca’s Jerky, Now You’re Poppin Kettle Corn, Robertson’s Roasted Almonds and Hot Dog Express. The Chamber will also have a tent with information.

Rose Parade: Plan for a perfect day Here are some tips that will help ensure a perfect Southern California day at the Rose Parade.

When to Go The parade starts at Orange Grove just south promptly at 8 a.m. It takes about two hours for the parade to get to the end of the levard. If you get to your spot on the route an hour or two before the parade does, place to stand; the closer to the beginning of the route, the earlier you should arrive. If you have a grandstand ticket, the vendor will let you know what time you need to be there.

Remember, you may have to do a bit of walking from your parking spot or train stop.

Make time A good rule of thumb is to allow around three times as much time travel as you normally would. As you get closer to the route, the time increases exponentially. A 10-minute drive can easily become 40 minutes, and you’ll need to add time for parking.

Map up A map of the route is a great help in avoiding road available on the Tournament of Roses website and in the Tournament of Roses brochure.

Food and drink All vendors are required to be licensed in order to work the Rose Parade route, so food and beverages you purchase should be safe. You may want to bring your own snacks and tuck in hot chocolate, coffee or tea to keep your tummy warm.

Three basic rules 1. There are three demarcations for street viewing:

The sidewalk, the curb and the blue line. The blue line is the absolute limit for street viewing.

At 11 p.m. Dec. 31, campers can move gear and chairs to the blue line, but at no time during the parade is anyone allowed beyond it.

This includes walking in the street. If you are camping out early, make sure all your gear is behind the curb. Viewers may not block the sidewalk. There must be enough room for people to easily pass between storefronts and the viewers.

2. Don’t throw things.

Silly string, marshmallows, tortillas, anything.

3. Don’t bring contraband.

Weapons, sticks, poles, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages, ladders, or any items that might cause injury or interfere with the parade or spectators’ enjoyment of the parade are banned.

Driving Be sure to bring a roadmap or GPS device, as some streets and freeway ramps will be closed, and many streets are open only to residents. Closures are posted in local media a few days before the parade.

There are periodic crossing points along the parade route, but they close down before the parade starts and don’t open until the parade is over.

Public Transport The Metro Gold Line has several stops within walking distance of the parade. West to east, these stations are Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake Avenue, and Allen Avenue. Purchase and fill TAP cards at the vending machines in the station.

Metro operates the Metro Red, Purple, Gold and Orange Lines throughout the night of Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 to enable parade-goers to get an early place along the route and runs additional trains and more frequent service Gold Line from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 1. Gold Line trains will run as frequently as every seven to eight minutes to and from Pasadena.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will provide regular bus service to areas near the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and post-parade areas as well. Buses will be originating from locations throughout the county. For detailed information, check out Metro.net.

Metrolink will provide special service on the San Bernardino Line to accommodate parade- goers.

Metrolink also offers a two-for-one promotion (two people can ride together for the price of one) on Jan. 1.

The City of Santa Monica Big Blue Bus offers round trip transportation packages from Santa Monica. For information and tickets, call 310-451-5444.

Information A free audio tour of the floats can be downloaded from the podcast area in iTunes or to your cell phone by calling 626-321-4768.

A special version of the Rose Parade program guide is available in Braille and on a four-track cassette at the audio description viewing section on Colorado Boulevard or by calling 800- BRAILLE.

Handicapped Access There are three designated viewing areas for people with disabilities along the parade route, coordinated by the City of Pasadena and volunteers. Each person with a disability may bring up to four guests. One of the three areas includes audio description for the visually impaired and another has sign interpreters for the hearing impaired.

Tickets to these sections are free and are available by leaving a voice mail at 626-744-4782 or emailing Robert Gorski, City Accessibility Issues Coordinator, rgorski@cityofpasadena. net. No seats are provided but visitors may bring their own chairs. Space is usually filled by early December. Sharp Seating sells a limited number of wheelchair accessible spots at grandstand locations.