Vermont tourism officials have announced that an eastern Massachusetts man and former Vermont resident is the first winner of $100 in free gas in the new 's8216;Vermont Fuels Your
Vacation's8217; Sweepstakes sponsored by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing and Champlain Oil Company of Burlington.
Bob Cassidy of Northborough, Massachusetts will receive the first $100 in free gas from the State of Vermont as part of its new fuel-themed tourism promotion. The contest will run through
April 2007 and will feature a weekly $100 gas voucher winner as well as three grand prizes worth more than $1,000 each that include multi-night stays and dining at some of Vermont's8217;s
top properties in addition to free gas.
's8220;This is great, I grew up in Vermont (in Putney) and went to the University of Vermont and I really love the state,'s8221; Cassidy said. 's8220;We usually come up every winter to go
skiing at Killington or Okemo, and we's8217;ll definitely use the gas vouchers on our next trip to Vermont.'s8221;
Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Bruce Hyde says the campaign uses free gas as a way of getting people's8217;s attention and thematically highlights the many ways in which
Vermont can 's8216;fuel's8217; a great vacation. 's8220;Vermont can 's8216;fuel's8217; any vacation by offering world class food to fuel the body; and by offering great lodging,
attractions, recreation and events to fuel the spirit and the mind,'s8221; Hyde said.
Gas prices in Vermont have been relatively steady since early spring and are currently the lowest in the Northeast and 7th lowest in the country. Vermont's8217;s average gas price is
currently $2.83 according to the most recent statistics from AAA which puts it more than $0.13 less than the national average and $0.17 less than the Northeast average.
Hyde said that even though fuel prices have dropped recently in Vermont, the cost of gas is still a constant topic of discussion in the media, and the chance to win free gas will remain a
good incentive regardless of what happens with gas prices. He said he expects that this promotion will resonate with consumers and will provide a positive twist on some of the constant
negative coverage of the cost of fuel.
's8220;Looking broadly at the cost of a vacation, gas is still one of the smaller expenses that the consumer has to deal with,'s8221; Hyde said. 's8220;In reality, however, so much
attention has been focused on gas prices, it has become an issue for many consumers and we are trying to address those concerns in a positive way.'s8221;
More details and an entry form are available online at www.VermontVacation.com.