ARCOLA, Ill., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/
Raggedy Ann is turning the ripe old age of 90 in 2005, and to help commemorate the redhead doll's birthday, a call has gone out to her fans asking them to submit their most "heartfelt" Raggedy stories in a nationwide essay writing contest.
Raggedy Ann's 90th Birthday Essay Contest kicks off on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2005, which is a favorite holiday for Raggedy lovers. Prizes include 2005 special edition Raggedy Ann dolls and a grand prize of an all expense-paid trip for two to the Annual Arcola Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival in Arcola, Illinois, which is also home of the official Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum.
"Over the years, my family has heard countless stories from fans describing the joy and companionship that Raggedy Ann and her brother Andy have brought to them," says Joni Gruelle Wannamaker, granddaughter of Johnny B. Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann.
"Raggedy Ann's 90th Birthday Contest is a perfect opportunity for Raggedy enthusiasts to tell us their most heart warming stories, expressing what the doll truly means to them, while giving them a chance to win some great Raggedy prizes that they will cherish for years to come."
To help celebrate Raggedy Ann's 90th Birthday, the nationwide Raggedy Ann's 90th Birthday Essay Contest kick offs on February 14, which asks participants to write in their most "heartfelt" Raggedy stories in the form of a 500-600 word essay.
Ten finalists will be selected by July 4, 2005 and awarded special edition Raggedy dolls. Later this fall, a grand prize winner will be selected from the group of finalists to receive an all expense trip for two to Arcola, Illinois, home of the official Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum, during the Annual Arcola Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival in May 2006 and one hundred dollars worth of Raggedy products.
Learn more about how to participate in Raggedy's 90th Birthday Essay Contest by logging on to http://www.theofficialraggedyann.com/ and http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/. Full contest rules and regulations are available on both sites.
Raggedy Ann & Andy is licensed by United Media on behalf of Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing and Hasbro, Inc.
United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. United Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of E.W. Scripps Company.
Source: United Media
