THE 1996 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES : COUNTDOWN TO THE ROSE PARADE

6 Days to Go: 12/26

* Volunteers begin “hell week,� gluing tons of dry vegetation, mostly seeds, onto floats at assembly sites in Pasadena and Azusa.

* Pasadena city employees at the crack of dawn begin removing street-light poles that would block spectator’s views.

5 Days to Go: 12/27

* Truckloads of fresh flowers begin arriving at float assembly sites, where volunteers begin counting and cutting the blossoms. The flowers are then returned to refrigerated trucks, where they are kept for about 48 hours.

4 Days to Go: 12/28

* Television production crews set up tons of equipment in viewing boxes above the parade route, on the corner of South Orange Grove and Colorado.

* Pasadena public works employees paint a line down the middle of the route. The line serves as a guide for float drivers.

3 Days to Go: 12/29

* The Tournament of Roses Family Festival gets into full swing at the Rose Bowl.

* Volunteers begin gluing the longest-lasting blooms, such as chrysanthemums, to the floats.

2 Days to Go: 12/30

* City crews patch potholes along the 5.5-mile route.

* Workers install 2,300 ‘No Parking’ signs along the route and surrounding streets.

* The corps of flower-gluing volunteers swells to the thousands and begins to work round-the-clock, putting the most-perishable blossoms on the floats.

1 Day to Go: 12/31

* City crews install barricades with flashing lights to close freeway ramps.

* Officials conduct a dress rehersal for floats and judging takes place at assembly sites.

* Floats are moved from across Pasadena to Orange Grove Boulevard. Late on New Year’s Eve, a convoy of floats lumbers in from Azusa to join the formation.

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THE FIRST PARADE

On Jan. 1, 1890, the Valley Hunt Club presented a parade of flower-decorated horses and buggies. Two thousand people attended.

A DIFFERENT VIEW

For the first time in parade history, cameras will be mounted on floats to give television viewers a different perspective.

GRAND MARSHAL

Kermit the Frog hops into the grand marshal’s seat this year. The Muppet character is the first non-human to head the parade without a human partner and was chosen in honor of his late creator, Jim Henson.

THEME

This year’s parade theme, “Kids, Laughter & Dreams,� is a tribute to the innocence of children and the dreams of youth.

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HOTLINE

General information about the parade or game: (818) 793-9911.

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78TH ROSE QUEEN

Queen Keli Hutchins, 17, of San Marino, competed against nearly 700 Pasadena-area women for the honor of reigning over this year’s parade and Rose Bowl game.

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NORTHWESTERN VS. USC

The game marks Northwestern’s first Rose Bowl appearance in 46 years. Last time out, Northwestern beat California 20-14. USC, meanwhile, is making its 28th appearance and going for its 20th victory. USC, ranked No. 18, lost to Notre Dame, 38-10, and Northwestern, ranked No. 3, beat Notre Dame, 17-15.

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WHERE TO PARK

WHEN: Begins at 8 a.m. on South Orange Grove Avenue and runs about two hours. The Rose Bowl game begins at 2 p.m.

PARKING: Spectators wishing to park within a reasonable walking distance should arrive by about 6:30 a.m., police say. It is helpful to know in advance where you plan to sit. Overnight parking is permitted beginning at noon on Sunday. However, all “No Parking� areas and red curb zones remain off limits. Any vehicle in violation will be towed immediately and be subject to a fine. Police suggest that parade watchers who also plan to attend the game park nearer the Rose Bowl and walk to the parade route. Those planning to leave immediately after the parade should park on the side of the parade nearest their destination. Reserved parking is available through Ace Parking (818) 792-1218, Sharp Seating Co. (818) 795-4171 and Easy Parking Service (818) 286-7576. RV camping is available in the Rose Bowl parking lot.

SEATING: Curbside viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon Sunday. Bleachers take up most of the area by the corner South Orange Grove Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard, so curbside spectators are advised to aim for Old Pasadena and farther east the later they arrive. The north side of the boulevard gets more sunlight and is usually warmer. There will be 257 portable toilets along the route. For information on reserved grandstand seats, call Sharp Seating at (818) 795-4171 and Marsden Bros. at (310) 394-6639.

PARADE VIEWING FOR THE DISABLED: For information on viewing from Pasadena Plaza, call (818) 795-1349. For information on a viewing site at 1485 E. Colorado Boulevard, call (818) 795-4171. For general information, call (818) 405-4216.

PARADE RULES: Those wishing to sit curbside may save only the space they occupy. Tents are not allowed and areas cannot be roped off. Police say those with liquor or found throwing objects on the route will be cited.

THE ROUTE: The 5.5-mile parade route begins at South Orange Grove Boulevard and Green Street, turning east on Colorado Boulevard and north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and finally Paloma Street.

(Mapped area):

Del Mar Boulevard and Pasadena Avenue on-ramps and off-ramps closed 8 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Monday.

Eastbound Orange Grove off-ramp closed 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

The Police Department recommends avoiding Fair Oaks Ave. unless you have reserved parking in that area.

Eastbound and westbound Sierra Madre and San Gabriel Blvd. off-ramps closed 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday.

1) Parade units form. Closed to public.

2) Public display of floats after the parade from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special viewing for the disabled from 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

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ORDER OF THE MARCH

1. Pearl City High School Marching Band, Hawaii.

2. Long Beach Mounted Police & the Foxfield Equestrian Team.

3. Sunkist Growers Inc., “Fantasy Factory.�

4. Blue Springs South High School Marching Band, Blue Springs, Mo.

5. City of Long Beach, “I’m a Whale Watcher.�

6. The Martinez Family.

7. Cacique Inc., “Passing Traditions.�

8. Los Angeles Unified All-District High School Band.

9. City of Los Angeles, “PLAY.�

10. International Horses of Spain.

11 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal.

12. Eastman Kodak Co., “Treasure Island.�

13. American Bashkir Curly.

14. Southern California Edison, “Headed to Our Party.�

15. Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets.

16. Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn., the Rose Queen and Royal Court.

17. Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band.

18. Automobile Club of Southern California.

19. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, “Spirit of the West Riders.�

20. City of Duarte/City of Hope National Medical Center, “Teddy Bear, Hugs and Dreams.�

21. Leander Band, Blue Belles and Flag Corps.

22. Countrywide Home Loans, “Making Dreams Come True.�

23. John Sutill’s Parading Arabians.

24. Big Ten Conference, “Four in a Row.�

25. Northwestern University Band.

26. City of Glendale, “Mother Goose Stories.�

27. The New Buffalo Soldiers.

28. Rotary International, “Lending a Helping Hand.�

29. The Royal British Legion Youth Band.

30. Tournament of Roses President.

31. Arcadia Tournament of Roses Assn., “Winter Wonderland.�

32. Dartmouth High School Band, North Dartmouth, Mass.

33. International House of Pancakes Restaurants, “Elephant Antics.�

34. Woodside Vaulters.

35. Baked Lay’s “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun.�

36. United Pegasus Foundation.

37. United Airlines, “Rhapsody in Blue.�

38. Dreamcatchers.

39. Portland Rose Festival, “The Spirit Lives On.�

40. Tate High School, “Showband of the South.�, Gonzalez, Fla.

41. Tanner Appaloosa Group.

42. Family of Freemasonry, “We Support Children.�

43. Country Spice Drill Team.

44. Pacific-10 Conference, “We Will Win.�

45. University of Southern California Band.

46. Farmers Insurance Group, “Kids . . . America’s Promise.�

47. Al Malaikah Silver Mounted Patrol.

48. Dr. Pepper, “Kids At Play.�

49. Welsh Dragons.

50. Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn., “Dreamflight.�

51. The Salvation Army Band.

52. Arco, “Trick-or-Treat.�

53. Mayor of Pasadena.

54. Cal Poly Universities of Pomona and San Luis Obispo, “Thumbs Up.�

55. Shady Ladies of the Mother Lode.

56. Midad International Corp.’s Project Safe Baby, “Protecting Our Children’s Future.�

57. Jones Junior College Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, Elsville, Miss.

58. City of Inglewood, “A Nudge Toward Achievement.�

59. California Paso Fino Horses.

60. Target Stores, “Clowning Around.�

61. Western Group.

62. La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn., “Sea Dreams.�

63. U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard.

64. U.S. Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band.

65. Unocal Corp., “Youthful Spirit.�

66. Camarillo White Horse Assn.

67. International Assn. of Lions Clubs, “Helping Youth Realize Their Dreams.�

68. Westwood High School Longhorn Marching Band, Memphis, Tenn.

69. Florists’ Transworld Delivery (FTD), “Tea With Friends.�

70. Painted Magic Rodeo Drill Team.

71. Puerto Rico, “Dream Vacation.�

72. Hawaii Pa’u Riders.

73. City of Torrance, “Make ‘em Laugh, Keep ‘em Dreaming.�

74. Parkway Central Marching Colts, Chesterfield, Mo.

75. City of St. Louis, “Cinderella Dreams Come True.�

76. American Donkey and Mule Society.

77. Kiwanis International California, Nevada, Hawaii District, “Planting for the Future.�

78. Franklin High School Band, Franklin, Tenn.

79. American Honda Motor Co., “KLD-X-96.�

80. American Morgan Horse Unit.

81. South Pasadena Tournament of Roses, “Hide n’ Seek.�

82. Nishihara Senior High School Marching Band, Okinawa, Japan.

83. The Smithsonian Institution, “Remembering, Imagining and Discovering.�

84. China Airlines, Ltd., “Fantastic Flight.�

85. Taipei Municipal First Girls’ Senior High School Band, Taipei, Taiwan.

86. United States Postal Service, “We Deliver Dreams.�

87. Wee Wheelers.

88. Optimist International, “Reach for Your Goals.�

89. Monache High School Marauder Marching Band, Porterville, Calif.

90. Downey Rose Float Assn., “Tropical Playground.�

91. Ruby’s Restaurants, “Malt Shop Memories.�

92. Mahomet-Seymour Marching Bulldogs, Mahomet, Ill.

93. Costa Rica, “Dreams of Paradise.�

94. American Cream Draft Horse Foundation.

95. Monrovia Old Town Merchants Assn., “Goin’ to the Festival.�

96. The Kingdom of Thailand, “More Splendid Than a Dream.�

97. Henry Ford II Falcon Marching Band, Sterling Heights, Mich.

98. City of Alhambra, “Easter Egg Hunt.�

99. Norco Desperadoes.

100. San Diego Zoo, “Party Time.�

101. Valley Hunt Club.

102. Sierra Madre Rose Float Assn., “Dreams of Yesteryear.�

103. Pomona High School Marching Band, Arvada, Colo.

104. Lutheran Laymen’s League, “Jesus Loves All the Children.�

105. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

106. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, “Pocketful of Dreams.�

107. George Putnam Group.

108. City of Azusa, “Are We There Yet?�

109. Etiwanda High School Marching Eagle Regiment, Rancho Cucamonga.

110. Union Labor Life Insurance Co., “Building America’s Dreams for the Future.�

111. City of Cleveland, “Happy Birthday!�

112. United States Cavalry Assn.

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SOURCE: Tournament of Roses Assoc., City of Pasadena, Times files

CREDIT: Researched by Times correspondent RICHARD WINTON