Secondary: Beverly Hurley, Kansas Travel Media Representative
913-451-9023; hurleypr@kcnet.com

For Immediate Release

FIRST ROUND OF WINNERS SELECTED
IN KANSAS MEGA GIGANTIC GETAWAY GIVEAWAY

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced today the first round of winners in the prize-laden Kansas Mega Gigantic Getaway Giveaway, which rewards visitors who travel Kansas with monthly prizes and a variety of grand prizes.

Three lucky winners were selected by random drawing for the month of June and include:

Deanna Jones of Mound Valley, Kan., who traveled 128 miles from her home to the Museum of World Treasures in Wichita and took a photo in front of the museum. Her prize is a getaway to Salina, Kan., which includes a night in the Holiday Inn/Holidome and a night at Country Inn & Suites, meals at Red Lobster, Martini’s Steak & Shop House, Santa Fe Phillie’s & Subs, and the Hickory Tree Restaurant at the Smolan School. She will also receive passes to the 2006 Smoky Hill River Festival, the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure – Zoo & Museum, the 2006 NJCAA Women’s National Basketball Tournament, the Yesteryear Museum, and the Salina Art Center Cinema. The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce provided the prize package. Deanna also visited sites in Wellington during her trip.

Katherine Wilson of Apache Junction, Az., traveled well over 100 miles from her home in Arizona to Cabela’s in Kansas City, Kan., and took a photo in front of the bronze deer sculpture outside the store. She won Bushnell Legacy 8-20X Zoom binoculars and a case. While touring Kansas, Katherine also visited Lenexa, Wyandotte County Lake, and enjoyed lots of Zarda BBQ.

Russ Neufeld of Newton, Kan., traveled 243 miles from home to the Buffalo Bill Bronze Sculpture in Oakley, where he posed in front of the statue with his wife and young son. His prize is a weekend getaway to Leavenworth, Kansas, which includes two nights at the Prairie Queen Bed & Breakfast, meals at the High Noon Saloon, Pullman Restaurant, Tampico Authentic Mexican Restaurant, and Village Square Restaurant, plus four passes to the Carroll Mansion and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. The Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau provided the prize. Russ took his photo while traveling I-70 and I-135.

The Mega Gigantic Getaway Giveaway runs through October 31, 2005. To enter travelers must visit a Kansas attraction or event listed in the 2005 Kansas Getaway Guide or on www.TravelKS.com that is at least 100 miles from their home. Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by October 31 to be eligible. Anyone who wins a monthly prize is still eligible for the grand prizes. It is not a photography contest, but select photos will be featured on the Giveaway’s web site. Winners will be selected by random drawing.

A noticeable difference in this year’s contest is the many chances to win and the variety of prizes. Monthly prizes include a weekend passport good for lodging, meals, and admission to local festivals and attractions across the state.

The grand prizes include travel-related items such as camping gear from Coleman, a portable DVD player for the car, a digital camera, a GPS unit, a 4-piece luggage set, a canoe, and mountain bike just to name a few. Other prizes include a big family fun weekend at Great Wolf Lodge and the Kansas Speedway, as well as multiple day getaways along I-35 and to the Cattle Towns of Kansas.

The “As big as you think” grand prize is a 42-inch, high definition plasma TV.

For entry details and a complete list of prizes, visit www.TravelKS.com and click on “Getaway Giveaway.” To receive a FREE 2005 Kansas Getaway Guide visit www.TravelKS.com or call
1-800-2KANSAS ext. B-MG-0504.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The photos submitted by the three winners are available to the media. Contact Beverly Hurley at 913-451-9023 or hurleypr@kcnet.com for an electronic version.