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| My first Holiday Bowl 1998 AZ upsets Nebraska 23-20 |
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| The Big Bay Balloon Parade |
Do
you ever get the Christmas blues the week after the big day? All the presents have been opened, most
of the family has gone home and you’re left to clean up the mess. In 1998 I discovered a cure for the
Yuletide hangover. Its called the
Holiday Bowl and this year its happening in San Diego on December 27th.
I’ve
been to ten games since then but this one is going to be special. Although the match up traditionally
features teams from the Pac 12 and Big 12 conferences, I’ve never seen UCLA
play at Qualcomm Stadium. They’ve
finally made it and the Bruins will face the Bears from Baylor University in
what promises to be a high-scoring shootout. The Holiday Bowl has a reputation for lots of points and
thrilling finishes. Back in 1998 I
saw Arizona upset Nebraska 23-20 after a furious second half and I was
hooked. Since then I’ve watched
future NFL stars like Aaron Rodgers, Dez Bryant and Marshawn Lynch perform in
front of roaring crowds and rocking bands.
The
game itself is just a part of the festive atmosphere that permeates the Holiday
Bowl experience. The day starts at
10am with “The Big Bay Balloon Parade” held at the Port of San Diego. You don’t have to be a kid
to enjoy the giant cartoon figures floating
above while marching bands
provide the soundtrack below.
Unlike going to the Rose Parade, this is a stress-free affair where you
can show up whenever you want as long as you take the San Diego Trolley to get
there.
The
Trolley also makes it easy to get to the game. The $5.00 pass that took you to the
parade can be used all day long! I
like to spend the afternoon in the hotel pool and Jacuzzi before heading over
to the stadium. Once there, I’m
treated to a bowlful of holiday cheer highlighted by a terrific halftime show
with fireworks and the usual college pageantry.
If
you choose to drive to the game you will park in one of the best tailgating
lots in the country. Barbecue
smoke fills the air and more importantly, porta-potties are everywhere. I’ve strolled down aisles where fans
have offered me hot dogs and beers and even free tickets.
In
2001 I walked over to the game from the nearby Ramada Inn, hoping to buy a
cheap ticket in the parking lot. I
brought food and drink with me for a pre-game meal. The only thing I didn’t bring was my wallet. When I realized I’d left it back at the
hotel, I had a decision to make.
The Navy jets did their usual fly-over and I knew I had only a few
minutes until kickoff. If I walked
back to the Ramada to get some money the round-trip would take about half an
hour.
Then
I saw a guy in a Santa hat passing out a handful of tickets to a group of
friends near the stadium entrance.
I walked over and told him my story. He had free tickets given to him by his employer and ended
up with an extra one. He handed it
to me and said “Merry Christmas.”
I thanked him and hugged him and danced inside where I saw one of the
best Holiday Bowls ever. Texas and
Washington scored 90 points in the last three quarters with the Longhorns
finally winning 47-43. Total cost
to me: zero. Thanks to the
kindness of a stranger.
That’s
what I love about the Holiday Bowl.
It has big-name college teams and big-time entertainment. What it doesn’t have is the stress and
cost of a big game. The perfect
cure for the holiday hangover.
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| My buddy John enjoying Holiday cheer in 2009 |
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| After the parade and before the game its pool time! |
