PARADE TO VICTORY FLOATS, WEATHER WOW CROWDS.

Byline: Elizabeth Lee and Gina Keating Staff Writers

PASADENA - A colorful patchwork of Americana unfurled along sun-drenched Colorado Boulevard in the 112th Rose Parade on Monday as a musically inclined Italian chef, tropical birds of paradise and a revving race car helped usher in the new millennium.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators - The Associated Press estimated as many as 1 million - lined the route, basking in temperatures that reached the mid-70s after beginning in the high 40s as the parade kicked off.

Crowds also gathered for the Rose Bowl game, where the Washington Huskies rang in the new year with a 34-24 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers. The victory marked the Pacific 10 Conference's first win in four years, since USC beat Northwestern in 1996.

During the parade, themed ``Fabric of America,'' the most dramatic moment came just after the procession started at 8:01 a.m. as five members of a U.S. Army parachute team jumped from a plane flying at 3,500 feet and floated down toward Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards.

One by one, silhouetted against the morning sun, they descended and nailed the target, a 5-foot-wide rose emblazoned in the intersection, in a picture-perfect landing that brought wild cheers from the crowd.

``You guys rock!'' a woman screamed from the grandstands after the parachutists stood in formation in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars float, on which a mechanical, flower-covered sendup of Bob Hope received and returned their salute.

``You get a big adrenaline rush coming in here because of the crowd,'' said Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Munoz, 43. He said his team had never before performed for an audience that large.

Tournament of Roses officials said about 350 million people worldwide watch the parade on television.

``This is live coverage all over the world. Ain't no bigger event than this one,'' Munoz said.

Attendance at this year's parade appeared slightly larger than at the 2000 event, held on a chillier morning with some people staying home after expressing fears about Y2K computer disasters (that never materialized).

Fifty-two floats, 27 equestrian units and 24 marching bands made their way along the 5 1/2-mile route.

``To see all the faces and hues in one place, it really does represent the fabric of America,'' said Grand Marshal Tom Brokaw, NBC network anchorman, echoing the parade's theme. ``It was a great honor.''

Jeanette Viene from Chicago watched the parade in person for the first time.

``It was everything I expected it to be and more,'' said Viene, who made the trip to cheer on Purdue University in the Rose Bowl. ``I've been watching this parade for probably 50 years - I can't believe I'm here.

``And your weather's beautiful,'' she said, adding that her hometown is now buried in snow.

Crowd-pleasers included the Automobile Club of Southern California's float, ``A Century of Setting the Pace,'' a depiction of a race car whose hood opens to reveal its driver and engine.

Another favorite, which won the Sweepstakes trophy for most beautiful entry, was ``Enchanted Expedition'' from Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing Corp.

The float depicted explorers Lewis and Clark and their Indian guide Sacagawea and featured six waterfalls using 1,500 gallons of water.

The theme of diversity and cohesion inspired many float designers to appeal to patriotism.

The parade's longest float, ``Bringing Cultures Together'' by Panda Express, celebrated the American melting pot and the contributions made by immigrants in scenes from every continent.

The lead float, ``Symbols of America'' by American Honda Motor Co. Inc., seemed to draw the most attention.

The rendering of a 50-foot-tall bald eagle clutching an American flag in its talons as the sound system played ``God Bless the U.S.A.'' left first- time attendee Mary Lynch of Philadelphia speechless.

``I was so impressed, I can't find the words - it was fabulous,'' she said.

The Honda float also impressed 11-year-old Jeffrey Pitcl of Sacramento, but not as much as the National Association of Home Builders' ``The Family Tree,'' an elaborate treehouse with a water slide.

Shane Plitt, 8, of Santa Rosa took no notice of pop star Amy Grant's rendition of ``America the Beautiful'' aboard Target Corp.'s float of the same name, but he adored the two live bald eagles riding with her.

His sister, Sarah, 5, preferred La Canada Flintridge's ``Making Connections,'' featuring a pelican, fox, skunk and other animals riding to the beach on a careening trolley car.

Two floats - far fewer than usual - had to be towed after breaking down, and Pasadena police reported that 78 people - about average for the event - were arrested overnight and during the parade, most of them on suspicion of drinking in public or of disturbing the peace.

CAPTION(S):

9 photos, 2 boxes, map

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel celebrates with quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, right, after the Huskies defeated Purdue, 34-24, in the 87th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday. Above, Huskies senior offensive guard Matt Rogers lifts the game trophy high in triumph as the crowd cheers. See SPORTS for complete coverage.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Kim Johnson/Associated Press

(3 -- color) ``On the Road to Freedom,'' a float bearing the giant likeness of a younger Bob Hope in fatigues, left, recalled the entertainer's dedication to military personnel stationed overseas during the holidays.

(4 -- color) 2001 Rose Queen Michelle Jacobs, 17, waves to the crowd along the parade route.

(5) The Coppell High School Band from Coppell, Texas, performs during the Rose Parade.

(6 -- 7) ``Symbols of America'' by American Honda Motor Co. Inc., was the lead float in the Rose Parade. The 50-foot-tall bald eagle clutched an American flag in its talons as the sound system played ``God Bless the U.S.A.'' The parade's ``Fabric of America'' theme inspired float designers to appeal to patriotism.

(8) The National Association of Home Builders' float entry, ``The Family Tree,'' featured kids enjoying a water slide.

(9) ``Cats Rule'' was the name of this playful float by Whiskas cat chow. It included mischievous felines, a computer, a mouse and keyboard.David Sprague/Staff Photographer

Box: (1) 23 FLOATS WIN HONORS IN PARADE

(2) POST-PARADE FLOAT VIEWING

Map: VIEWING THE FLOATS