Lottery, tourism officials launch new promotion

DES MOINES – Officials with the state tourism office, lottery and Iowa State Fair are combining their marketing power to promote Iowa events and attractions with a silver theme tied to the lottery's 25

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(or silver) anniversary.

The new promotion begins with this week's launch of the Lottery's Silver Ticket product – a $5 instant scratch game that offers winners prizes ranging from $5 up to $25,000 and provides benefits to nonwinners via discounts to many festivals, attractions and participating businesses in Iowa.

Lottery players can use nonwinning tickets as a coupon to save money at Iowa events, businesses and attractions or as a chance to win cash prizes in contests the Lottery will hold at 25 events around Iowa. Also, lottery players attending the Iowa State Fair can use their nonwinning ticket as an entry in the Silver Ticket cash stop festivities during the fair, which marks the finale of the joint tourism promotion.

“We think this project is unique in the United States in terms of state entities, private businesses, festivals and fairs working together to help drive our state's economy. We hope to drive millions of dollars in new or additional business into the state this summer,” said Lori Chappell, the Iowa State Fair's marketing director. “Last year's tourism efforts in Iowa did have a positive impact on destinations throughout the state and we're anticipating that same success again this year.”

Terry Rich, chief executive officer for the Iowa Lottery, said the Silver Ticket game tickets will be available statewide by Friday. The first of the Silver Ticket discount offers will begin April 26 with special offers continuing throughout the spring and summer.

“In these tough economic times, we know people are putting even more emphasis on good value than ever before,” Rich said, “so we decided to use the statewide promotional power of the Iowa Lottery to team with the great events and offers coordinated by Iowa tourism.”

A complete list of the special discount offers and the 25 “must-see” events chosen as Silver Ticket Cash Stop contest locations are available at the state tourism office website (www.traveliowa.com) beginning April 26.

During each event, the lottery will hold a contest to give away prizes of $100, $150, $250 and $500 – a total of $1,000 at each event, Rich said. Visitors to each event can enter the local contest with nonwinning tickets in the Silver Ticket game, he added.

Comments: (515) 243-7220; rod.boshart@gazcomm.com

Here are the 25 “must-see” Silver Ticket Cash Stop locations: 

 

Date                                        Festival/Event

Saturday, May 15                   Celebrate CB, Council Bluffs

Sunday, May 16                      2

^nd

Annual PZAZZ! Great American Grill-Off, Burlington

Friday, May 28                       John Wayne Birthday Celebration, Winterset

Saturday, May 29                   Tivoli Fest, Elk Horn

Sunday, May 30                      Great Okoboji Wing Ding, Arnolds Park

Thursday, June 3                    My Waterloo Days, Waterloo

Friday, June 4                                    1st Fridays Art Walk, Fairfield

Saturday, June 5                    Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City

Saturday, June 12                  America's River Festival, Dubuque

Sunday, June 13                     Hy-Vee Triathlon, Des Moines

Friday, June 18                      AMVET's June Antique Show, Walnut

Saturday, June 19                  Awesome Biker Nights, Sioux City

Tuesday, June 22                    U.S. Modified Tours Series At Mineral City, Fort Dodge 

Friday, June 25                      33

^rd

Annual Ottumwa Pro Balloon Race, Ottumwa

Friday, July 2                         Clinton Riverboat Days, Clinton

Saturday, July 3                     Star Spangled Spectacular, Storm Lake

Sunday, July 4                                    Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Cedar Rapids

Friday, July 16                                   Party in the Park, Charles City

Saturday, July 17                   57

^th

Annual Black Hawk Lake Water Carnival, Lake View

Friday, July 23                                   Downtown Street Fest, Davenport

Saturday, July 24                   Lake Fest, Clear Lake

Saturday, July 31                   Iowa Speedway, Newton

Sunday, Aug. 1                                   National Balloon Classic, Indianola

Saturday, Aug. 7                    Estherville Sweet Corn Days, Estherville

Wednesday, Aug. 11               50

^th

Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, Knoxville

 

Finale Event

Aug.12-22                               Iowa State Fair, Des Moines