Thousands of Wisconsin football fans are expected to bring their flat accents and thirst for reasonably priced beer to Santa Monica this week in preparation for the Granddaddy of Them All.
The Badgers (No. 5 BCS) take on the TCU Horned Frogs (No. 3 BCS) in the Rose Bowl game on New Year's Day.
Santa Monica appears to be base camp for the traveling Badger fans. The city has a slew of deals and events for the football lovers, including the Wisconsin Football Party at the Pier on Thursday. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the pep rally.
Dozens of Bay City retailers and restaurants are offering deals, ranging from half-priced drinks to rental car upgrades -- two deals that probably shouldn't be mixed though.
For locals looking to get in on the action, the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau is still looking for volunteers to work the event:
Volunteers will help welcome fans, and guide them through the city by the sea. Volunteers will be holding signs directing fans toward the rally, as well as hand out maps and special deals at local restaurants and shops.
Badger fans have already started the trek west with as many as 10,000 fans flying from Madison to Los Angeles on Wednesday, WISC-TV reported:
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