Football might be the centerpiece of bowl games.

But, for loyal Utah State, BYU and University of Utah fans following their teams to bowl games in December, the games provide more than just an athletic contest. They offer a chance to travel to a different place, see some new cities and savor the pageantry of college football.

Bowl events such as tailgating parties and pep rallies are almost givens. But each host city and bowl committee also tries to offer enticements to get fans into their communities.

Excitement is especially high this season, the first since 1993 when all three major college Utah programs have gone bowling the same year.

Utah State helps kick off the bowl season Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Boise when it meets Ohio in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. BYU travels to Dallas to battle Tulsa at 10 a.m. MST in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 30. And Ute fans can bring in the New Year in El Paso, Texas, when that community hosts the Sun Bowl, the second oldest holiday bowl game behind the Rose Bowl, where Utah battles Georgia Tech on Dec. 31.

Aggie fans might be the most excited since Utah State has not gone bowling since 1997, when it played in the inaugural game in what would become the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

"We're really excited," said Patty Halaufia, executive director of the Utah State Alumni Association. "Ticket sales are brisk. We expect a great crowd of people to cheer the Aggies on. … We were there for 1997. Many are excited and remember that, which has raised interest. We expect a stream of cars with Aggie flags heading north on [Friday]."

Bowl-sponsored events included an awards dinner and concert on Thursday, a breakfast on Friday and a tailgate party from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the day of the game. Those with game tickets can watch a snowmobile freestyle event in the stadium parking lot featuring snowmobilers doing back flips from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. as well as live music and the two schools' bands.

Fans who want to enjoy their stay in Boise might want to check out attractions such as the Boise Art Museum, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Idaho Botanical Garden with its winter display, a Saturday morning public market and ice skating. Downtown Boise offers some nightlife and fine restaurants.

As befits a game with the name Armed Forces Bowl, BYU fans making the trip to Dallas should enjoy a patriotic and military-themed event.

"Our slogan is 'more than a bowl game,'" said executive director Brant Ringler. "We will be giving thanks to our military throughout the entire game. There will be tributes to each branch at every quarter."

The free Armed Forces Adventure area will offer interactive displays, hardware, games and prizes before and after the game. A postgame highlight will be performance by actor Gary Sinese and his Lt. Dan Band.

As one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, Dallas and Fort Worth offer plenty of things for visitors to enjoy. Cougar fans can see an original copy of the Declaration of Independence at the Dallas Library, visit the Kennedy Memorial, ride the elevator to the top of Reunion Tower, go shopping at the Galleria, take in the Fort Worth Stockyards or Water Garden, or see what kind of progress is being made on the George W. Bush Library. Those who enjoy traditional Mexican food might want to try Joe T. Garcia's.

Utah will play New Year's Eve day in the historic 77th annual Sun Bowl. Stars such as Ara Parseghian, Merlin Olsen, Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders, Don Maynard, James Lofton and LaDainian Tomlinson have played in the game. Games here are known for being close, with 39 games, including seven of the last 10, decided by a touchdown or less.

El Paso offers a great deal of Western and Latino flair. The town is considered the cowboy boot making capital of the world, offers great ribs, steaks and Mexican food – try the Stateline for barbecue. The city's Cincinnati and Union Plaza Districts offer great nightlife to celebrate New Year's Eve after the game. Other attractions include the El Paso Zoo, Wyler Aerial Tramway, El Paso Holocaust Museum and El Paso Museum of Art

"We hope people come down here for more than just the game," said Bill Blaziek, general manager of the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. the night before the game. It features bands and cheerleaders from both teams, vendors and live music and is capped by a huge fireworks display.

On game day, the Army Knights parachute in the game ball. Bands from the two schools play at halftime, which usually features a name performer as well.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter @tribtomwharton —

Bowl Basics

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Date • Dec. 17

Teams • Utah State (7-5) vs. Ohio (9-4)

Site • Bronco Stadium, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho (Seating capacity: 33,500)

Mileage from Salt Lake City • 339 miles (Driving time: four hours, 55 minutes)

Airfare from Salt Lake to Boise • $288 to $496*

Time • 3:30 p.m. MST

Television • ESPN

Ticket prices • $18 to $50

Bowl website • www.famousidahopotatobowl.com

Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau • www.boise.org

Utah State athletics • www.utahstateaggies.com

Payout per team • $650,000

Major bowl events • Thursday: kickoff concert featuring Nate Fowler and Andy Grammer. Friday: Utah state pep rally at Grove Center, 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday: Utah State tailgating party at Bronco Stadium, Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.; Battle of the Marching Bands, 1 p.m. at stadium, Backflips at the Bowl Snowmobile Demonstration; live music featuring The Naughties, Lindsay Lawler.

Armed Forces Bowl

Date • Dec. 30

Teams • BYU (9-3) vs. Tulsa (8-4)

Site • Gerald R. Ford Stadium, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (seating capacity: 32,000)

Mileage from Salt Lake City • 1,264 miles (Driving time: 20 hours, 17 minutes)

Airfare from Salt Lake to Dallas • $398*

Time • 10 a.m. MST

Television • ESPN

Ticket prices • $60 and $150

Bowl website • www.armedforcesbowl.com

Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau • www.visitdallas.com

Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau • www.fortworth.com

BYU athletics • www.byucougars.com

Payout per team • $600,000

Major bowl events • Dec. 28: Welcome Home a Hero, DFW Airport. Dec. 29: Team kickoff luncheon, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, noon, $50. Dec. 29: Fireside, Richardson Texas Stake Center, 900 South Bowser, Richardson, Texas., 7 p.m. Game Day: Free Armed Forces Adventure Area (fan zone that includes exhibition of military hardware, interactive displays, games, prizes, pre-game concert by Professor D, and post-game concert by Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band).

Sun Bowl

Date • Dec. 30

Teams • Utah (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech (8-4)

Site • Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas, Capacity 51,500

Mileage from Salt Lake City • 887 miles, (Driving time: 14 hours, 15 minutes)

Airfare from Salt Lake to El Paso • $415*

Time • Noon MST

Television • CBS

Ticket prices • $15, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60, $150, plus surcharge

Bowl website • www.sunbowl.org.

El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau • www.visitelpaso.com.

University of Utah athletics • www.utahutes.com

Payout per team • $2 million

Major bowl events • Dec. 30: Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta, 4 to 9 p.m., downtown convention center, includes music, battle of college bands, vendors, fireworks). Rotary Team Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., convention center). Dec. 31: University of Utah Alumni Association tailgating party ($15 members, $20 adults, $15 kids 12 and under, $25 walk up).

* Based on price check, fares can vary —

Don't visit Juárez

At one time, a visit to El Paso, Texas, would not be complete without stepping across the Mexican border to experience Ciudad Juárez. But since that town has the highest murder rate in Mexico (3,100 were killed there in 2010), the U.S. State Department is recommending that U.S. citizens do not visit Ciudad Juárez at this time. That said, El Paso itself usually ranks among the safest cities in the United States with a population of more than 500,000. Last year, it was named as the city in that category with the lowest crime rate in the country. According to KIVA television in El Paso, CQ Press releases that annual study.