Iowa Lottery

Iowans Can Save And Win Cash All Summer Long

'Silver Ticket' Promotion Partners Tourism, Local Events, Attractions And Iowa Lottery

Lottery CEO Terry Rich talking about the Silver Ticket campaign.
  Hear Lottery vice president Mary Neubauer discussing the campaign.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowans can have fun all summer long - and win cash prizes or receive discounts to many festivals, attractions and businesses - in a promotion announced Monday that partners the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Lottery.

"This is the second year for a summer travel project from Tourism and the Lottery," said Nancy Landess, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. "Last year's initiative really highlighted the entertainment possibilities in our state, especially during these tough economic times. We're going to build on that momentum this year."

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 summer fun is "The Silver Ticket," a new $5 instant-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, there are a few different ways your ticket can be used for even more value:

• "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 will be available on the Tourism Office Web site at www.traveliowa.com beginning April 26.



• "Silver Ticket Cash Stops." Lottery players can use nonwinning tickets in The Silver Ticket game for a chance to win cash prizes in contests the lottery will hold at 25 events across the state. Four cash prizes of up to $500 will be awarded during each contest for a total of $1,000 in prizes at each event.



• Finally, State Fairgoers can use their nonwinning ticket as an entry in the Silver Ticket Cash Stop festivities during the Tourism-Lottery project's finale event, the Iowa State Fair.

"In these tough economic times, we know people are putting even more emphasis on good value than ever before, 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," 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, at the Iowa State Fair. Tourism and lottery officials returned to where it all started by announcing this summer's travel initiative on Monday at the State Fairgrounds.

Sales in The Silver Ticket game began Monday and tickets will be available statewide by Friday. The first of The Silver Ticket discount offers from businesses and attractions across the state will begin April 26. Special offers will continue to be available throughout the spring and summer to customers who present The Silver Ticket (remember to visit the Tourism Web site for more details).

A list of the 25 events that have been chosen as 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.

"We're offering folks another summer to get out and explore Iowa - and save money while they're doing it," Landess said.

Landess and Rich invite Iowa attractions and businesses of all types to join in the campaign by making special offers to players who present tickets in The Silver Ticket game. Some of the businesses that already are planning special offers include the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone; Heritage Museums at Midwest Old Threshers in Mount Pleasant; King's Pointe Waterpark Resort in Storm Lake; and Dubuque River Rides in Dubuque.

Attractions and businesses that are interested in being a part of the Silver Ticket Savings campaign can contact the Iowa Tourism Office for more information. The contact information is: Iowa Tourism Office, Colleen Murphy, 515-725-3089, colleen.murphy@iowa.gov.

25 "Must-See" Silver Ticket Cash Stop locations
Date	Festival/Event
Sat., May 15	Celebrate CB, Council Bluffs
Sun., May 16	2nd Annual PZAZZ! Great American Grill-Off, Burlington
Fri., May 28	John Wayne Birthday Celebration, Winterset
Sat., May 29	Tivoli Fest, Elk Horn
Sun., May 30	Great Okoboji Wing Ding, Arnolds Park
Thur., June 3	My Waterloo Days, Waterloo
Fri., June 4	All Things Italian Festival-1st Fridays Art Walk, Fairfield
Sat., June 5	Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City
Sat., June 12	America's River Festival, Dubuque
Sun., June 13	Hy-Vee Triathlon, West Des Moines
Fri., June 18	AMVET's June Antique Show, Walnut
Sat., June 19	Awesome Biker Nights, Sioux City
Tue., June 22	U.S. Modified Tours Series At Mineral City, Fort Dodge
Fri., June 25	33rd Annual Ottumwa Pro Balloon Race, Ottumwa
Fri., July 2	Clinton Riverboat Days, Clinton
Sat., July 3	Star Spangled Spectacular, Storm Lake
Sun., July 4	Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Cedar Rapids
Fri., July 16	Party in the Park, Charles City
Sat., July 17	57th Annual Black Hawk Lake Water Carnival, Lake View
Fri., July 23	Downtown Street Fest, Davenport
Sat., July 24	Lake Fest, Clear Lake
Sat., July 30	Iowa Speedway, Newton
Sun., Aug. 1	National Balloon Classic, Indianola
Sat., Aug. 7	Estherville Sweet Corn Days, Estherville
Wed., Aug. 11	50th Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, Knoxville
Finale Event
Aug. 12-22	Iowa State Fair, Des Moines