Pasadena Takes The Spotlight This Week

   If Santa Monia has an inland counterpart, it’s Pasadena, and for the next week or so it will be the focal point of the L.A. nation – because it’s the site of both the Tournament of Roses, the model for major parades, and the Rose Bowl — and the annual Rose Bowl is still the one, only and original bowl game – even if the rules have been radically altered.
   And so Pasadena is pulling out all the stops – with a plethora of events leading up to the bg game.
   “Hollywood Comes to Pasadena,” an exhibit chronicling the current and past roles of the Pasadena area in the film industry, dating back to the industry’s founding, is on view at the Pasadena Historical Museum through January 6.
   Friday through Monday, December 28-31, the finishing touches will be made to the floats that will appear in the 113th Tournament of Roses.
   They can be seen at Rose Palace, 835 S. Raymond Ave., Rosemont Pavilion, 700 Seco St., and Brookside Tent on the west side of Rose Bowl Stadium. $5 for any two visits; children under three admitted free.
   On Saturday, December 29, the Pasadena Playhouse Association presents the “Best of Pasadena’s Art” in sidewalk galleries on Colorado Boulevard, Green Street and Los Robles Avenue in the Playhouse District. Jazz bands and other entertainers will perform.
   Saturday and Sunday, December 29 and 30, the Tournament of Roses Family Festival’s Equestfest will celebrate the Tournament of Roses’ origins in an Old West village, featuring display and ring performances by Rose Parade equestrian units; there will also be an Equestfest Chili Cook-Off, and a Bandfest, a two-day field show featuring Rose Parade marching bands. They’ll all be held adjacent to the Rose Bowl.
   From Saturday, December 29 to Wednesday, January 2, an exhibit of artifacts from the Tournament of Roses collection will be on view at the Tournament of Roses Museum.
   On Sunday, December 30, the Northwest Renaissance Festival in Robinson Park will spotlight the Pasadena Jazz Institute, John Muir High School Jazz Band, Ballet Folklorico and the Robert Kyle Group. Children’s activities, sports programs, arts and crafts will also be featured.
   From Sunday, December 30 to Saturday, January 5, an exhibit honoring hometown hero Jackie Robinson and his Pasadena football career will be on view at the Jackie Robinson Center.
   On January 1, the 113th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade with this year’s Grand Marshal Regis Philbin leading the bands, floats and equestrian units down the 5.5-mile parade will get underway at 8 a.m.
   Following the parade, the floats will be on view on January 1 and 2, Tuesday and Wednesday, at Washington and Sierra Madre Boulevards.
   On Wednesday, January 2, A Pep Rally for America, highlighted by a tribute to local firefighters and police, will be held on Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena at 1 p.m.
   On Thursday, January 3, a pre-game festival will be staged for people who come early to the Rose Bowl for the championship game. KC and the Sunshine Band, America, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Saina Paris and B.C. will appear, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25, through Ticketmaster.com or (213) 480-3232.
   The game begins at 5 p.m. in the Rose Bowl.