ADVISORY/Christmas Tree or 55-Foot Float?; It's No Contest for These Rose Parade Decorating Die-Hards.

Photo & Feature Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Saturday, Dec. 6

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:         It's the first day of "dry decorating" for many floats
              being prepared for the Tournament of Roses Parade on New
              Year's Day. More than 125 Auto Club members will put off
              putting up that Christmas tree and volunteer their
              decorating talents for something a bit bigger: a
              25-foot-tall, 55-foot-long Tournament of Roses float.
              Although it's too early to attach fresh flowers, the
              Auto Club's "Wild Vacation" float, depicting the wonders
              of a jungle safari, needs plenty of hands to attach
              non-perishable decorations such as strawflowers, bamboo,
              lentils, crushed rice and spices.

WHO:          Almost 2,000 Auto Club members volunteer each year to
              decorate the float, some even giving up vacation time
              and signing up for all 11 decorating days.

WHEN:         Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE:        Rosemont Pavilion (adjacent to the Rose Bowl),
              700 Seco St., Pasadena

WHY:          The Tournament of Roses float sponsorship is part of the
              Auto Club's annual charity drive, which this year
              benefits Orthopaedic Hospital. Proceeds collected during
              the fund drive will help the Orthopaedic Hospital
              Foundation provide free treatment to seriously ill
              children whose families cannot afford medical care.

NOTE:         Decorators will also be working on the float each
              Saturday in December, and every day from Dec. 26-
              Dec. 31.