When Sooner fans travel to the 76th annual Brut Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on New Year’s Eve, they can expect one sure factor: sunny weather.
“We have sunshine in the city 310 days out of the year,” said Pifas Silva, communications manager of the El Paso Convention Center and Visitors Bureau. “We usually wear a T-shirt and shorts to the game because it will be in the late 60s, early 70s for the game. You can bring a light sweater, but I guarantee you’ll take it off by halftime.”
Silva said El Paso is the perfect location in December.
The Brut Sun Bowl will be played at Sun Bowl Stadium, which is part of the University of Texas at El Paso’s campus, at noon Dec. 31, according to its Web site. On Dec. 30, El Paso’s convention center is holding a free party for all fans, Silva said.
“There is a pregame party at the convention center called Fan Fiesta,” Silva said. “It’s a big pep rally where both bands will perform. There will also be vendors and people selling food. It’s four hours of entertainment from 6 to 10 p.m.”
For hotel arrangements, Silva said there is a Holiday Inn Express four blocks from the convention center, but if someone wants to stay close to the stadium, there is a Hilton Garden within walking distance.
“The Holiday Inn Express is a five-minute drive from the stadium,” Silva said. “The hotel always offers a shuttle service on game day that will cost between $2 to $5.”
Trey Scott, economics sophomore, plans to stay with relatives while in El Paso for the game.
“My mom, myself and my friend have never been to El Paso before and we are just going with the flow,” Scott said. “I’m really excited for the weather, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do anything for New Year’s since I won’t have a vehicle.”
Silva said El Paso has an energetic nightlife and there should be plenty for college students to do.
“Five minutes from campus there is a vibrant entertainment district called Cincinnati Street with two blocks full of restaurants and nightclubs,” Silva said. “Someone can barhop from place to place and listen to really fun live bands in a quaint historic district.”
For college students under age 21, Silva said he suggests some of the more outdoor activities that El Paso has to offer, like visiting Franklin mountain, the southernmost mountain of the Rockies.
“Wyler Aerial Tramway is a gondola ride where visitors can see 7,000 square miles, two countries and three states,” Silva said.
According to its Web site, the tramway costs $7 for adults.
The El Paso Convention Center and Visitors Bureau follows the government and the Secretary of State’s guidelines and does not suggest anyone cross the border into Juarez, Mexico.
“It is fairly easy to cross the border because we have three international bridges, but we do not recommend travel to Juarez, especially on New Year’s Eve and especially if they’re under 21,” Silva said.
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saxman 2 years, 5 months ago
Convenient that the Tramway is closed the two days before the game...lame.