A Budding Tradition

In Pasadena at the turn of the century (the last one, that is), it was all about the well-to-do, winter blooms and selling real estate.

This year, it’s all about fans.

Originally, ostrich races and bud-covered carriages drew hundreds to the City of Roses on New Year’s Day. As the event grew with the addition of computerized floats, competitive football and an international audience, Tournament of Roses officials decided they needed more festivities to entertain the masses.

FanFest is the result.

The New Year’s Day parade is still the main event, of course. The 111th edition of the Rose Parade begins at 8 a.m. Saturday on Orange Grove Boulevard and continues down Colorado Boulevard.

FanFest is the warmup. The event, which kicked off on Tuesday and continues through Friday, is geared to fans and families, a culmination of old and new activities brought together for the first time under one umbrella title and in one location, outside the Rose Bowl.

FanFest, presented in part by the Los Angeles Times, includes performances by Rose Parade marching bands and equestrian teams, a Sports Village where kids and adults can try their hands at interactive football, an Expo Village and food court, and the new Tournament of Roses Museum.

“Many of these things existed before but were scattered in different locations,” said Rick Jackson, FanFest chairman and a 25-year Tournament of Roses member. “Now we’ve brought it all into the bowl.”

Horses, Marching Bands and Float-Building

Tournament officials are especially proud of the Tournament of Roses Museum, created from the “tons” of Rose Bowl and parade memorabilia, Jackson said, that’s been collecting dust in the Tournament House attic and storage room. Historic photographs, artifacts and interactive exhibits from Rose Bowls past are among the treasures housed in a 10,000-square-foot tent. Along with the nostalgic journey at the museum, the $4 admission price includes a look inside the Rose Bowl stadium. The museum is open today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Passing and strategy are typically the keys to success in any Rose Bowl game--and at the Sports Village, where football skills are put to the test in interactive contests. Activities range from kicking a field goal to running an obstacle course to taking the Quarterback Challenge. The $3 admission includes eight events and the Football Orbitron thrill ride.

Legoland is the largest exhibitor in the Expo Village. The Carlsbad-based theme park puts kid-oriented activities into play, offering an interactive facility to occupy the youngsters. Other Expo Village exhibitors include AT&T; and the county Sheriff’s Department. The village, which includes a food court, is open today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Marching bands from around the world participate each year in the Rose Parade, and spectators can hear some of them at Bandfest, from 1 to 4 p.m. today in Rose Bowl lot F. Tickets are $5.

Equestfest will trot out horses and equine-related exhibits today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On display are horse-drawn fire wagons, the Heinz Hitch team of Percherons, and, in a nod to Tournament history, live camels and ostriches. Equestfest is presented by H.J. Heinz in the equestrian compound in Rose Bowl area H. Admission is free.

Rose Queen, Disney to Attend Luncheon

Also, watch float decorators put petals to the metal on parade-bound floats. View the decorating process today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations: Rose Palace, 835 S. Raymond Ave.; Rosemont Pavilion, 700 Seco St.; Brookside Pavilion (accessible to those with limited mobility) on the west side of the Rose Bowl, and Buena Vista Pavilion, 2144 Buena Vista, Duarte. Admission is $3.

Everybody who’s anybody in the Rose Parade or game, including the Rose Queen, the athletes, coaches, band members, parade grand marshal Roy Disney and various officials, will partake in the Rose Bowl Kickoff Luncheon on Friday at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $45. The midday pep rally and lunch includes the annual induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, at Tournament Pavilion, Rose Bowl area 1, adjacent to the Rose Bowl. Get tickets through Ticketmaster: (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000.

After the parade Saturday morning, spectators can stop and smell the roses from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Floats will be parked along Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards, east of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue.

If you don’t care to feel like a squished pea in a gigantic pod, you can wait until Sunday, when viewing opens again from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Those with limited mobility are welcome from 7 to 9 a.m. on Sunday.

On Sunday only, take the free shuttle and float viewing is $2; otherwise, admission is $4; kids younger than 6 get in free. Shuttle service is available on Sunday only, from Rose Bowl lot I and Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

BE THERE

FanFest at the Rose Bowl, Arroyo Seco, Pasadena, today and Friday. Equestfest, free; Bandfest, $5; Sports Village, $3; museum and stadium viewing, $4; or purchase a FanFest $9 pass for access to all events. Parking in lots F, L and H. Float viewing, $4; shuttle riders, $2. (626) 449-4100; 24-hour hotline: (626) 793-9911.