Best bowl traditions

The annual traditions of the college football bowl games are fun for football and non-football fans alike. Whether we're talking parades, awards or something else entirely, bowls bring out the pageantry.

Here's a look at bowl traditions and customs from 15 of the most storied games.

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Armed Forces Bowl

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The Great American Patriot Award has been presented at halftime of the Armed Forces Bowl since 2008. The award is presented annually to an individual or group in recognition of their service to the United States.

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Cotton Bowl

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The Cotton Bowl is one of college football's oldest bowls, starting in 1937. The Field Scovell Trophy is presented to the winner, named for the former Chairman of Team Selection.

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

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The aptly named Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features a bowl of potatoes as the trophy for the game winner. The bowl started as the Humanitarian Bowl in 1997 and is the longest running cold weather bowl game, taking place in Boise, Idaho.

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Fiesta Bowl

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The Fiesta Bowl launched in 1971, and the Fiesta Bowl Parade was started as one of the bowl traditions two years later. The parade includes marching bands from high schools and the schools participating in the Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl.

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Florida Citrus Bowl

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The Florida Citrus Bowl features the "Florida Citrus Parade," taking place in Orlando every year.

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Holiday Bowl

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Prior to the start of the Holiday Bowl is the presentation of the "Big Flag," measuring 100 yards by 50 yards. The flag weighs 850 pounds. In addition, the bowl features the Holiday Bowl parade, the largest balloon parade in the United States.

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Liberty Bowl

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The Liberty Bowl was started in 1959 and features the Liberty Bowl Queens. They participate in Beale Street Parade and halftime show.

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Military Bowl

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The EagleBank Bowl was renamed the Military Bowl in 2010 and features the Military Bowl Parade through the streets of Annapolis, Maryland.

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Orange Bowl

Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

The second oldest bowl game, the Orange Bowl formerly featured the King Orange Jamboree Parade. The parade was a New Year's Eve traditions from 1936-2001. The trophy presented at the end of the game, a bowl of oranges, is iconic.

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Outback Bowl

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The Outback Bowl features the New Year's Eve Parade in Tampa Bay ahead of the bowl game that has been played on New Year's Day or Jan. 2 for the last 20 years.

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Peach Bowl

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Launched in 1968, the Peach Bowl features the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade on the morning of the football game in Atlanta.

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Pinstripe Bowl

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Taking place at Yankee Stadium since 2010, the winner of the Pinstripe Bowl is awarded the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy, named for the former Yankees owner.

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Rose Bowl

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"The Granddaddy of Them All" is the oldest bowl game, launching in 1902. Played on New Year's day, the traditions also include the Rose Parade and awarding of the Leishman Trophy to the winner.

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Sugar Bowl

Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Not many cities know how to party like New Orleans, and that includes the Sugar Bowl New Year's Eve Parade. At the conclusion of the game, the winner is awarded the Sugar Bowl, a solid silver trophy.

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Sun Bowl

Ivan Pierre Aguirre / USA TODAY Sports

The Sun Bowl Parade takes place in El Paso prior to the game, along with participation of 30 young women in the Sun Court.

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