University of Illinois Alumni Association New Year’s Eve Gala
Dec. 31
8 p.m. – Midnight PST
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean Ave. (across the street from Santa Monica Pier)Santa Monica, CA

$150 per person, advance registration required.
Sorry, registration for this event is closed.

Celebrate the arrival of 2008 in style at this festive Illini gala!

• Entertainment by Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets
• Deluxe hors d’oeuvres and dessert
• Open bar from 8-10; cash bar 10-midnight
• Special “Illinois time” New Year’s champagne toast at 10 p.m.

Selected by the UI Alumni Association as the featured entertainment at the New Year’s Eve Gala, Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets® have re-recorded and re-released their popular song “The Fighting Illini in Pasadena,” originally written in 1983, in honor of the Illini’s upcoming Rose Bowl trip. Listen to the 2007 version here to capture the Fighting Illini Rose Bowl spirit! The newly recorded version is available to purchase on the band’s Web site.

Illini Tailgate at the Rose Bowl
Jan. 1
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST
Brookside Golf Course (directly north of Rose Bowl Stadium)
$65 per person in advance
$75 per person at gate (LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE)

Price includes deluxe lunch (sliced beef brisket, mesquite chicken, pasta salad, steamed vegetables, dessert) and open bar (beer, wine, soft drinks). Marching Illini, Illinois cheerleaders and live music entertainment by Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets!

Not going to be at the Rose Bowl? Check out the live Webcast of the Illini Tailgate from Pasadena. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST.

Illini Rose Bowl Game Watch at the Alumni Center
Jan. 1
2 p.m. CST until game’s conclusion
Alice Campbell Alumni Center
601 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
$10 adults; $5 children 12 and under
Cheer the Illini to victory at this family-friendly event in the comfort and warmth of the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.

• Admission includes meal from Famous Dave’s BBQ and two soft drink coupons
• Free souvenir Rose Bowl pompom
• Door prizes and kids’ games
• Cash bar available

    You can also register by phone at 800/355-2586.

Illini Pep Rally
Dec. 30
10:30 a.m – TBA
Universal CityWalk (just outside Universal Studios Hollywood)
Free Admission

Brought to you by the L.A./Beaches Illini Club, the “Illini Bash at Santa Anita Park” is a chance to spend a day at the horse races with thousands of faithful alumni!

• Includes transportation to and from UI Alumni Association tour hotels
• Ten live thoroughbred races at a premier racing facility
• Illini VIPs making appearances throughout the day

Admission is $17 per person
VIP package is $43 and includes drinks, buffet lunch, celebrity autograph sessions and an Illini gift bag

Celebrate the Rose Bowl with the College of ACES, Applied Health Sciences and Law at The Lot
Dec. 30
6-9 p.m. PST
The Lot, West Hollywood (1041 N. Poinsettia Place, West Hollywood)
Guests: $60; Students: $30
E-mail advancement@aces.uiuc.edu for more information
Sponsored by the colleges of ACES, Applied Health Sciences and Law

College of Veterinary Medicine
Dec. 30
Constellation II Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles
6-8 p.m.
Reception for Veterinary Medicine alumni and friends.
Please R.S.V.P. by Dec. 26 to advancement@cvm.uiuc.edu

Brunch for College of Education Alumni
Dec. 31
Doubletree Hotel Monrovia
924 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Complimentary admission
Please R.S.V.P. to waturner@uiuc.edu or 217/244-7228

New Year’s Eve Illini Bash
Dec. 31
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. PST
Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
$72.50 per person, advance registration required

• Admission includes all rides and attractions inside the park 
• Afternoon parade featuring Marching Illini
• Globe Theatre reserved for Illini fans from 2-10 p.m., cash bar and live entertainment