2008-04-07 23:51:48 -

ivars.net - From clams bursting in air, to Ivar's founder Ivar Haglund waving the American flag, Ivar's Restaurants hopes to tap into the imaginations of students ages 12 to 18 (Washington residents only). Students will compete for a chance to have their original artwork appear as Seattle's 4th of Jul-Ivar's promotional artwork. In addition to artistic "acclam,"

the payoff prize is grand, indeed: The winner will receive $500 in Ivar's gift cards.

The 4th of Jul-Ivar's fireworks show started 44 years ago, when Haglund was given a last-minute chance to save the town's annual Seattle fireworks show from cancellation. He used the opportunity to thank his customers and give back to a community that knew and loved him. The fireworks went off that year and every year since. It has grown to become the longest-running, privately held fireworks show on the West Coast.

The 4th of Jul-Ivar's art contest is not only an opportunity for young artists, it is also a great tool to educate children about a historic Seattle event, one that has united the community for 44 years. Submissions should reflect the spirit of the event with themes such as: Seattle, waterfront, Elliott Bay, fireworks, Ivar's, Ivar Haglund and the community. For inspiration, kids can go to www.ivars.net for examples of artwork from previous years.

"The local student base is brimming with talented artists; what better way to showcase such imagination than through our widely covered 4th of Jul-Ivar's event?," said Kirsten Wlaschin, Ivar's Restaurants director of marketing.

To enter, Ivar's will accept an original hand-painting or drawing (two-dimensional only) or an electronic file of their original artwork. No artwork (in full or part) generated from someone other than the submitting artist is allowed. All entries must be received by May 23, 2008. The dimension should be 11" wide by 17" high (portrait style).

Alternately, electronic submissions should be sent as:

-- High quality JPEG file at 200 pixels per inch, 5 megabytes or less if e-mailed. (File size can be larger if submitted on non-returnable CD.) OR

-- Adobe Illustrator file, Version 8.0 or less, CMYK, fonts converted to outlines. If emailed, include linked files and zip to 5 megabytes or less (File size can be larger if submitted on non-returnable CD).

-- Please e-mail to marketing@keepclam.com or mail to the address below. If e-mailed, use subject line "4th of Jul-Ivar's Art Contest" and include name, age, grade level, school and contact information (including physical address, phone # and e-mail address).

Hard copy submissions should be mailed to: 4th of Jul-Ivar's Art Contest c/o Ivar's Restaurants Pier 54/1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98104.

Ivar's reserves the right to alter the artwork to include logo and key event information. Ivar's will announce the winner on their website at www.ivars.net.

Ivar's Restaurants began on Seattle's waterfront in 1938. Today, there are 24 Ivar's fast casual Seafood Bars, three Fish Bars, and three full-service restaurants: Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and Ivar's Mukilteo Landing. Ivar's Soup and Sauce Company markets and sells its award-winning soups, chowders and sauces both nationally and internationally. The company also operates 20 regional stadium concessions including Safeco Field, Qwest Field, Husky Stadium and the Comcast Events Center. Learn more at www.Ivars.net.

Wilson Public Relations
Carolyn Sueno, 206-838-8977
CarolynS@TamaraWilson.com