Old Pasadena's Recipe for Business Success.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Old Pasadena is breaking tradition and banking on its winning mix of restaurants, shopping and entertainment to start the New Year right. While Black Friday got a lot of attention, the Old Pasadena Management District (OPMD) is focusing on Gold Tuesday, the day for their upcoming Pasadena Food Bowl, January 3, 2006. The eats, arts and music festival is a stellar example of how the OPMD is attracting and keeping visitors during the busy holiday season.

Looking to fill the void between the Rose Parade and the college football Bowl Championship Series, the historic downtown is cooking up the Pasadena Food Bowl to boost the area's economy. OPMD leaders are seizing the opportunity to boost the number of hotel rooms, restaurant seats and retail buying. Businesses and merchants in the 22-block area will showcase its enviable mix of fun, food and shopping experience that new developments wish they could achieve.

The Pasadena Food Bowl will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., closing part of historic Colorado Boulevard and lining the street with diverse cuisines from over 35 participating Pasadena restaurants. The Culinary Concepts Stage featuring celebrity chefs will be from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The festivities will include a wine and dine pavilion, two stages with continuous entertainment, live music, art displays, children's activities, ice sculpting and sidewalk chalk art. The event is free with a charge for food and beverages. Parking is available in area public parking garages or ride the Metro Gold Line with two stops nearby.

"Many visitors first come to Pasadena for the parade and the game, but they stick around Old Pasadena because they like the outdoor hometown atmosphere and all the great food, shopping opportunities and activities we offer," said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of OPMD.

Campbell notes that Old Pasadena, known as the "Real Downtown," has a knack for creating the right mix of businesses and services people love to visit, and other communities attempt to copy. The area encompasses 22 blocks of restored buildings, unique independent retailers, 200 businesses including a brand new Tiffany & Co., vintage clothing boutiques, art spaces, galleries, national chains, over 90 restaurants, and urban dwellings all within walking distance of each other and the new Metro Gold Line. Old Pasadena is expanding while its popularity grows. Many new adaptive reuse projects and new developments are in the works in and around Old Pasadena while it still maintains its historic charm.

For more information, call 626-356-9725 or visit the website www.oldpasadena.org.

Available for Interviews Via Phone or In-Person:

--Old Pasadena business owners

--Maggie Campbell

--Old Pasadena developers

--Pasadena artists, chefs, and children's events leaders