News Release
ACVB’s Tournament Of Roses Sweepstakes Winners To Ride On Alaska Float: Winners hail from Fairbanks and Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Dec. 23, 2008 – Kolin O’Daniel, of Fairbanks, and Carey Ann Libershal, of Anchorage, and their guests will travel to Pasadena, Calif., to ride on the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) tribute to Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood float in the 120th annual Tournament of Roses Parade™ Jan. 1, 2009. They were randomly chosen from 2,596 entries received in the ACVB Tournament of Roses Sweepstakes that ran from Nov. 21 through Dec. 11, 2009.
Each won a deluxe trip for two that included four nights accommodations, round trip airfare from Anchorage to Los Angeles, tickets to VIP events associated with the Tournament of Roses Parade including the opening reception, Bandfest, Equestfest, float viewing, VIP tickets to watch the parade, and tickets to the Rose Bowl game. O’Daniel will travel with son, Connor, a freshman at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, and Libershal will travel with friend Laura Wagner of Anchorage.
“The sweepstakes winners and their guests embrace the Alaska lifestyle,” said Julie Saupe, president and CEO for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “So when the opportunity arose, they jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride on the float rather than sit in the stands. They will portray some of Alaska’s premier recreational opportunities, including mountain running, hiking and fishing.”
Designed by award-winning float designer, Raul Rodriguez, of Fiesta Parade Floats, the fully animated, organic creation features beautiful floral renderings of five masks, each representing one of Alaska’s diverse cultural regions. The colorful design also showcases the state’s magnificent geography and abundant wildlife along with key elements influencing the state’s growth throughout the years. Adding even more depth to the 22-foot-high by 18-foot-wide by 55-foot-long float will be 10 Alaska Native dancers and drummers performing both traditional and non-traditional songs alongside the float on the 5.5-mile parade route.
The ACVB Tribute to Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood is made possible by several financial partners, including, the Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska Railroad Corp., Anchorage Statehood Celebration and Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission. USTravel/Explore Tours provided the round trip air for the Tournament of Roses Sweepstakes. For more information on the Alaska float, including a complete list of sponsors, explore www.Anchorage.net/roses.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
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Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
