LOTTERY'S CASH STOP TOUR TO MAKE FRIDAY VISIT TO NEWTON

For media-ready jpeg image of The Silver Ticket click here.

National Balloon Classic Receives 'Must See' Designation, Attendees Have Chance To Win Cash Prizes

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Lottery players have the chance to win cash prizes this weekend at the National Balloon Classic as part of a promotion from the Iowa Tourism Office and Lottery.

The Lottery will make a "Silver Ticket Cash Stop" on Sunday at the Indianola event, which has been designated as one of just 25 "must-see" Iowa events by Tourism and the Lottery. During the Cash Stop, lottery players can enter nonwinning tickets in "The Silver Ticket" instant-scratch game in a contest for four cash prizes totaling $1,000.

This is the second year for a summer travel project from Tourism and the Lottery to highlight the travel opportunities in Iowa. This year's project is being called the "Silver Ticket Celebration" in honor of the lottery's 25th anniversary. And the lottery game that is the key to it all is The Silver Ticket, a $5 scratch game that celebrates 25 years of lottery entertainment in Iowa.

Those who buy a ticket in The Silver Ticket game can win instant prizes ranging from $5 up to $25,000. And if you don't win a cash prize, you can enter your ticket in a contest at a Silver Ticket Cash stop or choose from two other value-adding options:

• "Silver Ticket Savings." Iowa Lottery players can use nonwinning tickets like a coupon for savings at Iowa events, businesses and attractions. A complete list of the special discount offers available to Silver Ticket customers is on the Tourism Office Web site at www.traveliowa.com.
  
  
• State Fairgoers can use their nonwinning tickets as entries in Silver Ticket Cash Stop festivities during the Tourism-Lottery project's finale event, the Iowa State Fair.

"We know people are putting even more emphasis on good value now than ever before, so we decided to use the statewide promotional power of the Iowa Lottery to team with great events and offers coordinated by Iowa Tourism," said Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich. "This fits the bill perfectly by offering savings opportunities at destinations across the state and the chance to win prizes at local fairs and festivals."

Legislation authorizing a lottery in Iowa was signed into law on April 18, 1985, and the Iowa Lottery sold its first tickets during a kick-off celebration on Aug. 22, 1985.

A list of the 25 events that have been chosen as must-see Silver Ticket Cash Stop contest locations is below. 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). Visitors to each event can enter the local contest with nonwinning tickets in The Silver Ticket game.

The Lottery's Silver Ticket Cash Stop will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday at the National Balloon Classic, with the lottery's booth set up by the announcing tower near the front entrance. The lottery will announce the winners of the contest's four cash prizes at 8:45 p.m. Sunday at the announcing tower.

"We're offering folks another summer to get out and explore Iowa – and save money or win cash prizes while they're doing it," said Nancy Landess, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office.