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(ARA) - When John Crilly of Wheaton, Ill., entered “America’s Ultimate Garage” contest in 2004, he had big dreams of winning an amazing garage makeover. Then it happened. He was chosen as the grand prize winner among the more than 10,000 entries submitted, and his “ultimate garage” makeover has just begun.
“I think the only contest in America that might be more popular than ‘America’s Ultimate Garage’ contest is the Pillsbury Bake Off,” says Jim Stinner, senior brand manager for Rust-Oleum Corporation, the company sponsoring the contest. And Stinner should know, since he and his staff will personally sift through the more than 20,000 entries they expect to receive between now and when this year’s contest ends on September 6, 2005.
The winner of “America’s Ultimate Garage” contest receives a $10,000 professional garage makeover courtesy of Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating. A Home Depot approved contractor will custom-redesign the garage, transforming it into a showplace worthy of sharing with friends and neighbors. Of course the new look will include Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating and other exciting products from The Home Depot.
Stinner attributes the popularity of “America’s Ultimate Garage” contest to the fact that garage redesign is an emerging trend, and as such, an attractive prize to today’s consumer. “Garages are increasingly becoming so much more than a place to park your cars. People work, live and play in them, so they care about their appearance more than ever.”
“At the very least, people are looking for attractive cabinetry, elaborate wall systems, high-output lighting fixtures and finished flooring” Stinner adds. “And in some cases, that’s just the beginning. Many garages or parts of garages are being utilized as extra living space, home offices or recreational space.”
And size matters. There are 65 million garages in the United States and demand for bigger ones is growing, according to National Association of Home Builders’ statistics. In 1992, only 11 percent of American homes had garages that would hold three or more cars; by 2001, it rose to 18 percent. “And now four-car garages are becoming more common than ever,” Stinner says.
About the Contest
“America’s Ultimate Garage” contest begins June 15, 2005 and ends September 6, 2005. Homeowners will be eligible to receive the following prizes by entering:
* One Grand Prize -- $10,000 Professional Garage Makeover conducted by a Home Depot-approved contractor using EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating
* One Second Prize -- $5,000 Professional Garage Makeover conducted by a Home Depot-approved contractor using EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating
* 25 Semifinalist Prizes -- EPOXYShield prize packages, which include a kit of EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating
How To Enter
Anyone interested in a new look for their garage should enter “America’s Ultimate Garage” contest. Just take a picture of your garage and describe in 300 words or less what your garage means to you, why you deserve a garage makeover, and what makes for an ideal garage. Good luck! Entries must be postmarked between June 15 and September 6, 2005 and either mailed to America’s Ultimate Garage Contest (c/o ARS), 2156 W. Fulton Street, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL 60612, or posted to epoxyshield.com or rustoleum.com.
Judging
Entries will be judged on the creativity of the 300-word essay and the clarity of the photo. Winners will be selected and notified on or about November 1, 2005.
Courtesy of ARA Content