Tomorrow (sat 20th) is the contest day, held in Seaside Park, NJ about 16 miles from here - on the boardwalk of the Atlantic Ocean, and around the amusement park rides.
The final count is 151 people (so we know the odds) and here is how the drawing works.
I sign-in showing ID and get an envelope which I pull from a huge sack of envelopes. When it is time for the drawing, everyone with an envelope opens theirs and someone will open the luck envelope with the trip tickets inside. You also get (just the contestants - not a second family member or friend) an all day pass on the rides on the boardwalk.
Here are the drawbacks of the contest - but first, last years prizes which were TWO NEW CARS and this year trips to the Islands (you choose one of three Club-Meds). But the drawbacks are - only airfare and accomodations are included - NO GROUND TRANSPORT (neither to nor from the airports both here and there) and NO MEALS are included.
Actually this is FAR from an all-inclusive trip - this could cost the winning couple HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of dollars for rent-a-cars, and dining 32 to 3 times a day - NOT TO FORGET ADULT BEVERAGES.
Honestly, I enjoy winning as much as anyone - but I'm no longer excited about this. I think it went from a wonderful contest last year to a mediocre contest this year.
It's not a gifted horse, so looking it in the mouth is NOT a problem. The biggest shame of this is that it is NON-TRANSFERABLE, so I couldn't even give it away.
The only part I'm looking forward to is riding a few rides (I haven't been to seaside in years) and they also have a food display that we can snack on while on the boardwalk.
I just thought I'd mention this because not all wonderful prizes are as good as they seem - what could have been an all inclusive fantasy get-away for two MIGHT be too expensive for dome people to even go once you add it all the above mentioned stuff, plus tips, taxes and other fees that you get hit with when traveling.
But still - wish me luck
