The big day is almost here and already fans are gathering in Pasadena, California. Ok well maybe not until after Christmas. However, I'm sure there are Star Wars fans already in Pasadena ready to assist Lucasfilm pull together not one, not two, but three floats in the New Year's Day Rose Parade.

I figured a news round up on the subject would be nice for everyone out there enjoying the Holiday's. This is after all going to be the kick off to the 30 year anniversary of A New Hope!
Fans first heard of Lucasfilm's involvement with the Tournament of Roses Parade during Steve Sansweet's Star Wars Spectacular presentation at San Diego Comic Con. Then, on September 19th, 2006 George Lucas donated a whopping record setting 175 Million to USC. That very same day it was announced that he would be the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day in Pasadena, California.

"And I swear it has nothing to do with my having two Star Wars floats in the Parade..." - George Lucas

Sure George, you keep telling yourself that. ;-)

We've recently read stories about how you go about training 200 501st troops from various corners of the planet to march in unison. Plus heard from the three lovely ladies chosen to portray Queen Amidala atop the three different floats. ( Hi Kelsey! )

I'm sure the fine folks involved will do their best to pull off an extra special event for Star Wars fans worldwide. If there's one thing I know about this community is that we know how to come together and make these things happen! So to all my friends down there stuffing flowers into floats, thank you! ( Hi Anne! )

We're hoping to have some video footage on YouTube as soon as we can retrieve it from our troops in the field so stay tuned to TheForce.net for more content and updates as we get them!

*Updated!
Alex from Variety.com writes in with news he's posted in an article right here.

80% of the marching troops will be regular stormtroopers, the other 20% will include sandtroopers, snowtroopers and biker scouts

there are three pieces of SW music that will be perform


Plus we've just gotten a huge list of links from Lucasfilm full of articles from around the country reporting on the event. Be sure to check them all out!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=60b69c51-54a3-4ee6-afbc-04377d87f70c

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/NEWS01/612260330/1002/NEWS

http://starbulletin.com/2006/12/26/features/story01.html

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-25185038.apds.m0668.bc-ct--stardec25,0,4744982.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/12/24/coming_up_roses/

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_4894652

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-06/12-26-06/01fiveminute.htm

http://wcbs880.com/pages/151864.php?contentType=4&contentId=263209

http://www.amny.com/news/local/ny-bc-ct--starwars-rosebowl1225dec25,0,4224444.story?coll=am-local-regionheads

http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_4895434

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=5856379&nav=3YeX

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_4899945

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_4893898

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20061212-1346-people-georgelucas.html

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/entertainment/16217142.htm

http://www.wzzm13.com/sports/college/collegesports_article.aspx?storyid=67574

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/NEWSREC0101/61226009

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5860214&nav=0bov

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=ca1f4645-6554-4794-9c7c-9fe4e5eee3df