The grand stands are up, the floats are almost done, and the dueling football teams are officially in town, as are their fans. As everyone awaits New Year's Day, Pasadena is feeling a big boost in business.
The Fresco family traveled from Columbus, Ohio, to root for their team, and while they and fellow Buckeyes fans wait for Friday's kickoff, they're spending time and money in Pasadena.
"Lots of fun shopping and that kind of thing," said visitor Lila Fresco.
"They're lucky to have two amazing bowl games back to back," said Derek Jernstedt of San Francisco.
Preparations for the 2010 Rose Parade are revving up, and the 41 elaborate floats promise to entertain.
The Donate Life float highlights the importance of organ donation around the world. The float is decorated and designed by transplant recipients, living organ donors and family members of deceased donors.
"We infuse it with so much personal meaning every year, including dedicated roses on the float, thousands of them that come from all 50 states, Canada and all over the world," said Bryan Stewart of Donate Life.
Stewart said they are hoping the public will be inspired to sign up as organ donors.
The Donate Life float is just one of dozens of gorgeous floats being prepared for this year's parade "2010: A Cut Above the Rest."
The grand marshal will be pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who in January successfully landed a U.S. Airways jetliner in the Hudson River after the aircraft ran into a flock of birds. All 155 passengers survived.
The decoration process began Sunday and finished up Tuesday night. Joining the Kaiser Permanente float during the 121st Annual Tournament of Rose Bowl Parade will be the latest entry by a float builder vying for a 17th straight Sweepstakes Trophy, the parade's top prize.
Fiesta Parade Floats has built the last 16 Sweepstakes Trophy-winning floats. The Mexican government is sponsoring its first Rose Parade float in more than 40 years in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence.
Also for the first time, Major League Baseball will have a float. It will include a replica of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim home stadium and a baseball player. Members of an Anaheim Boys & Girls Club will ride on the float.
For the second year, Rose Parade fans will join the judges in awarding the trophies for the 2010 Rose Parade Float Awards. The viewers' choice award will give everyone the chance to vote for their favorite float from one of this year's 41 eligible entries.
Parade officials and volunteers will be on hand this week to take calls from local and out-of-state visitors coming to see the bowl game and parade. The Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau launched its annual hotline Tuesday for anyone with questions about the event. You can call toll-free through Jan. 7 at (877) 793-9911.
If you don't want to call, you can text your Rose Parade questions this year. Just text the word "roses," followed by your question, to the number 95495, and a tournament representative will respond. The service will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Thursday.
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