It’s Been Quite a Reign for This Fabled Parade

This year, two traditional New Year’s Day activities, the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game, will occur later in the week because of the calendar and television. Here is a guide to navigating the festivities, understanding why this year’s game shouldn’t be missed and how football replaced ostrich races in the Tournament of Roses.

Question: Why is the Rose Parade being held Jan. 2 instead of New Year’s Day?

Answer: The Rose Parade is always moved to Monday when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. The “Never on Sunday” rule was adopted in 1893, when tournament officials feared the noise would spook horses tethered outside churches along the route.

Q: How many times has the parade not been held on New Year’s Day?

A: Sixteen. First in 1893 and most recently in 1995.

Q: Does the parade go on, rain or shine?

A: Yes. It has rained nine times in the Rose Parade’s 116-year history, but the parade has never been canceled. Those rainy years are 1895, 1899, 1906, 1910, 1916, 1922, 1934, 1937 and 1955.

Q: Why is the Rose Bowl game being played Jan. 4 instead of New Year’s Day, as is traditional?

A: This is done for broadcast purposes to separate the national championship game, being played at the Rose Bowl this year, from the other bowl games.

Q: How can one get tickets for the game between the No. 1-ranked USC Trojans and No. 2-ranked Texas Longhorns?

A: You can take out a second mortgage on your home. This is the most anticipated college bowl game in recent memory. It features the last two Rose Bowl winners, the last two Rose Bowl MVPs, the last two Heisman Trophy winners and this year’s two Heisman runners-up. USC has won 34 straight games and Texas 19. Tickets are selling on EBay for more than $1,000 apiece.

Q: Which team is favored to win?

A: Las Vegas oddsmakers give USC a seven-point advantage over Texas. Longhorn fans don’t care.

Q: How will football fans who do not have tickets arrange not to miss the single most important game of the season?

A: Well ... a recent survey of employers found that Wednesday -- the same day as the 2006 Rose Bowl game --is the most popular day of the week for employees to call in sick. According to careerbuilders.com, which conducted the survey, reasons for midweek absences include: “I’m too drunk to drive to work,” “I’m too fat to fit into my work pants,” and “The ghosts in my house kept me up all night.”

Q: Are any Pasadena businesses allowing employees to take the day off Wednesday?

A: Yes. Parsons Corp. charges visitors to the Rose Bowl for parking in its lot and is encouraging employees to log on at home instead of coming in. Those who do show up will be asked to leave early, according to spokeswoman Erin Kuhlman.

Q: How much does the modern Tournament of Roses resemble the original event?

A: Very little. In the early years the tournament featured ostrich races, bronco-busting demonstrations and a race between a camel and an elephant. Over the years it expanded to include motorized floats and marching bands.

Q: How many floats are in the parade?

A: This year there are 48. Most are made by professional float builders.

Q: How are bands selected to march in the parade?

A: Bands must submit a color group photograph, letters of recommendation, an application and a videotape. About 20 bands are chosen, and they are given 14 months’ notice so they will have enough time to raise funds to pay for their trip. Bands foot the bill for their own transportation, housing and other expenses at a cost of about $1,500 per band member.

Q: Who is this year’s grand marshal?

A: Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Q: Who is the Rose Queen and what does she do?

A: Camille Clark, a senior at LaSalle High School in Pasadena, is the 88th Rose queen. Clark and six Rose princesses are scheduled to attend more than 100 local events. They were selected based on poise, public speaking ability, community service and academic achievement. During the parade, Clark will wear a $100,000 crown of diamonds and pearls. The method of waving is important -- as she rides on the float, the Rose queen waves by moving her elbow twice, then her wrist. Elbow-elbow, wrist-wrist. Go on, try it: elbow-elbow, wrist-wrist.

Q: What is the parade’s economic effect on the local economy?

A: Officials say it brings in $208.1 million in direct expenditures and that its total economic effect on Southern California is $370.3 million. The Tournament of Roses reimburses the city of Pasadena for services and does not rely on taxpayer subsidies.

Q: How many volunteers work on the Tournament of Roses?

A: Putting on the Tournament of Roses requires about 80,000 hours of combined manpower from 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses Assn. Nicknamed “white-suiters” because of their uniforms, each belongs to one of 32 committees with responsibilities that include selecting parade participants and serving hamburgers to band members at the end of the route.