Video: Rain didn’t stop 2011 Tournament of Roses Queen Evanne Elizabeth Friedmann, Princess Tenaya Miyoko Senzaki and Princess Michelle Kaye Washington from an official and enthusiastic endorsement of the Metro Gold Line. The royal entourage joined with Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Director Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, members of the Los Angeles Kimono Club, transit officials and civic leaders in the Little Tokyo community on Wednesday to encourage taking public transit to the New Year’s festivities in Pasadena. And, while you’re at it, take the Gold Line to Little Tokyo for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

More info here: Reminder: Metro Rail and Orange Line run all night tonight; extra service added on Gold Line for Tournament of Roses

Details + Schedule for Overnight 24-Hour Rail Service for New Year’s Eve

So noted, but worth repeating: after the jump

• Metro Rail is safest, most convenient, affordable and most recommended choice for traveling to New Year’s festivities
• No wind-related incidents impact Metro Rail service during Thursday’s high wind advisory. Mild forecast promises clear sailing to Tournament of Roses Parade as well as all New Year’s celebrations and Rosebowl Game.

With high gasoline prices, congestion and local parking problems associated with recent rains, riding Metro to parade events remains one of the easiest ways to travel for local and out-of-town visitors alike.

Metro will provide 24-hour service on Metro Rail and the Metro Orange Line Dec. 31 in order to accommodate patrons throughout L.A. County who want to attend the Pasadena New Year’s festivities.

(Note: The Long Beach Transit Mall will be closed from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 3 a.m. on Jan 1 due to a special event. As a result, Blue Line will operate modified service during this time.)

Metro also will be providing  free rides Dec. 31 on all Metro bus and rail lines from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 1.  After 2 a.m., regular fares go into effect.

In addition to the overnight service, Metro will run additional trains and more frequent service on the Metro Gold Line to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing through 9 p.m., with trains running as frequently as every seven to eight minutes to and from Pasadena.

The 122nd Rose Parade will begin Saturday, Jan. 1. at 8 a.m.  Parade goers can access any of four Pasadena train stations close to the Parade route on Colorado Boulevard.  Memorial Park and Del Mar stations are about two blocks from the Parade route; the Lake and Allen stations are approximately four blocks from the Parade route.

Parking is available at several Metro Gold Line Stations, including Sierra Madre Villa, Del Mar, Fillmore, Mission, Heritage Square/Arroyo, Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park, Union Station, Indiana and Atlantic.   Additional parking is available at stations servicing other countywide rail lines as well. Visit metro.net for a list of additional park & ride lots on the Metro System.

Rose Bowl officials are highly recommending that those attending the 97th Rose Bowl Game®  Presented by VIZIO following the parade utilize the Metro Rail System or carpool, as availability of parking is extremely limited in several nearby parking areas due to excessive rains and flooding. Football fans using Metro Rail should travel to the Metro Gold Line Station at Memorial Park. Upon arrival at the station, they should then walk three blocks west on Holly Street to the Parsons Corporation complex to catch the free Rose Bowl Game shuttle bus, with service starting at 10 a.m.

Metro is also teaming up with the Tournament of Roses to provide easy access to view the Rose Parade floats after the parade.  Take the Metro Gold Line to the Sierra Madre Villa Station in East Pasadena.  Then board a shuttle bus from the Bus Plaza on the first level of the parking structure that provides direct service to Victory Park, where the floats will be displayed Jan. 1-2.