Media advisory/Rose Bowl events and contacts

To help journalists planning coverage of the Badgers at the 98th Rose Bowl game on Monday, Jan. 2, this advisory provides a summary of some of the Wisconsin-related fan events and other activities that may be of interest in the days leading up to the game. All times listed are Pacific Standard Time, unless otherwise noted.

Where to find the fans:

Fans on Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) charters will arrive early for flights schedules to depart on Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. (CST). Another flight will depart Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport at 10:30 a.m. (CST). Those charter flights will begin to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport at 10:30 a.m. (PST).

As you might expect, fans are booked at hotels throughout the area. Wisconsin Alumni Association tour participants are staying at the J.W. Marriott-L.A. Live; Lowes Santa Monica; Fairmont Miramar-Santa Monica; the Renaissance Hollywood and the Marriott Warner Center.

The official party is staying at the J.W. Marriott-LA Live, 900 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Where to find help:

Jenny Price, of University Communications, will be in Los Angeles beginning in the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 30 and can help in answering questions about schedules, and with arranging and facilitating interviews with university officials. Contact: 608-239-2339, price3@wisc.edu.

To arrange interviews with Wisconsin Alumni Association officials in Los Angeles, contact Kate Dixon at 608-520-0441.

Media questions regarding the football team, practice and news conference schedules and athletic events should be directed to Brian Lucas, director of UW Athletic Communications, at 608-513-3987 or bml@athletics.wisc.edu.

The UW Marching Band has scheduled its final Madison practice for 4:30 p.m. (CST) Thursday, Dec. 29 at the McClain Indoor Practice Facility. At approximately 4 p.m. band members will load luggage their equipment for the trip to California. At 6 p.m. (CST) they will load their band gear. The band will gather at the McClain Center at 6 a.m. (CST) Friday, Dec. 30 to board buses that will take them to the airport. While in California, the band will practice at the stadium at Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles. Rehearsals are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Friday, 8:45 a.m. Saturday, and !:15 p.m. on Sunday. The public is welcome to attend.

Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29-30:

ROSE PARADE FLOAT DECORATING: From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at two locations — the Rosemont Pavilion: 700 Seco St., Pasadena and the Brookside Pavilion: Lot I, south side of Rose Bowl Stadium. Tickets to event are $10 and children aged 5 and under are free. Tickets are available by calling (626) 795-4171. The event allows people to get a preview of the floats before they make their debut in the 2012 Rose Parade.

Friday, Dec. 30:

UW BAND AND SPIRIT SQUAD AT DISNEYLAND: Event begins at 6 p.m. in the Towne Square at Disneyland in Anaheim. Admission is required to see the show. Ticket prices vary, and tickets can be ordered at Disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets.

WISCONSIN ROSE PARADE FLOAT: Dec. 30-31, 3 p.m.-midnight. Catch up with Badger alumni and other Big Ten grads who will decorate Wisconsin’s Rose Parade float. Artistic Entertainment, 120 N. Aspan Ave., Azusa. Contact Derek Hildebrandt, greaterbuckyopen@yahoo.com or (818) 424-8000.

Saturday, Dec. 31:

ROSE BOWL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: This year’s class includes Wisconsin Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, a two-time Rose Bowl MVP. The induction ceremony will be held at noon at the Pasadena Convention Center. The luncheon is a ticketed event and more details are available at tournamentofroses.com or by calling 626-449-4100.

PARTY AT THE PIER: This is one of this week’s signature events. Thousands of the Badger faithful will gather for the “Party at the Pier” pep rally at the world-famous Santa Monica Pier beginning at 3 p.m. The Big Ten champion Badger football team, coach Bret Bielema, the band, spirit squad and others will make guest appearances. This is a two-hour, free event aimed at firing up fans for the Jan. 2 football classic.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: From 8 p.m. to midnight nearly 800 UW–Madison alumni will ring in the New Year (twice!) at a sold-out party filled with Hollywood style, dancing and Badger traditions. Media must make advance arrangements to attend. Contact WAA’s Kate Dixon at (608) 520-0441. JW Marriott, Diamond Ballroom, 900 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Sunday, Jan. 1:

ROSE BOWL GAME KICKOFF LUNCHEON: This mid-day pep rally will feature ESPN broadcasters who will present the coaches, student-athletes, marching bands and spirit squads of the participating teams. The luncheon will be held at noon at the Kickoff Luncheon Pavilion Tent in the Rose Bowl Stadium area. Tickets are $90 and are available at Ticketmaster.com.

PACKER PARTIES: Beginning at 10 a.m., hundreds of Badger fans will spend some time as Packer Backers during WAA’s official Green Bay Packers game-viewing party. ESPN Zone @ LA Live, 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite B101, Los Angeles.

NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH THE UW BAND AND SPIRIT SQUAD: Ring in the New Year with a 5 p.m. performance of the world-famous Fifth Quarter at L.A. Live at 800 W. Olympic Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. Admission is free.

Monday, Jan. 2:

ROSE PARADE: The 123rd Rose Parade begins at 8 a.m. in Pasadena. The UW Marching Band will march in the parade. Free curbside viewing is available on a first-come, first served basis. Grandstand tickets are $55 and $65 and $90 and advance purchase is required. Media risers are provided for credentialed media. Contact the Tournament of Roses for more details.

BADGER BLAST/HUDDLE: This pregame tailgate party is presented by Wisconsin Athletics and sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association and The National W Club. The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookside Golf Course just north of the Rose Bowl Stadium. Tickets are $75 for adults and $50 for youth from 6-12. This would be a great place for credentialed media to gather last-minute fan reaction prior to the game.

MORE TAILGATING: A public tailgate, with free admission to all fans will also be held beginning at 8 a.m. on game day in Lot H just south of the stadium. A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase and there will be interactive displays and entertainment attractions. For more information, contact the Rose Bowl Stadium at 626-577-3100.

THE 98th ROSE BOWL GAME: Kickoff is at 2:10 p.m.