Home of the Utes Contest: Sept 20- Oct 29

INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Contact: Danica Farley
Danica@downtownslc.org
(801) 419-8544

Home of the Utes Contest builds support for U of U football and the downtown/university connection

When:
Mon., Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.

Where:
Metropolitan Restaurant, 173 W. Broadway

Who:
Mayor Ralph Becker, University of Utah President Michael Young, University of Utah Athletics Director Chris Hill, Metropolitan Proprietor Karen Olsen and Downtown Alliance Executive Director Jason Mathis

What:
The Downtown Alliance and University of Utah are sponsoring the “Paint the Town Red” contest to show support for the University of Utah football team. Downtown Salt Lake City is “Home of the Utes” and downtown businesses are invited to paint the town red by decorating their business or storefronts. The effort is intended to help brand Salt Lake City as a university town, and furthers the goals of Downtown Rising to create greater links between Salt Lake City’s business community and Utah’s flagship state university.

“All of us involved with Utah athletics take a great deal of pride in our city and by declaring downtown as the ‘Home of the Utes,’ we feel like the city is proud of us as well,” said Dr. Chris Hill, athletic director at the University of Utah. “It is a great partnership and one that continues to get stronger every year. The ‘Paint the Town Red’ theme gives downtown a fun college-town atmosphere and tells visitors that the University of Utah is Salt Lake City’s ‘team.”

Details:
The contest officially begins September 20 at the start of Homecoming week. Judging will take place on October 29 by the U Cheerleaders, Dance Team and Swoop. Winners will be announced online on November. Awards will be presented during halftime of the Utah vs. TCU football game on November 6. Businesses are encouraged to leave decorations up from Homecoming through the end of the season.

Downtown businesses and organizations located in the Central Business District (from 300 East to 700 West and 400 South to North Temple) are eligible to compete for prizes. Participation is free.

Grand prize is $2,500, four VIP tickets to a University of Utah football game and two lower bowl tickets for each employee to a University of Utah men’s basketball game.
Second Prize is $1000 cash prize, 4 tickets to the Utah vs. TCU game, second place trophy and $100 in U branded merchandise.
Third Prize is $500 cash prize, 4 tickets to the Utah vs. TCU game, 3rd place trophy, and $50 in U branded merchandise. –
All Participants: Receive 10 lower bowl men’s basketball tickets.

Metropolitan restaurant won first place in 2009 with a “Meet us in the MUSS” theme that included a miniature football field in front of the restaurant and the University of Utah fight song amplified indoors and out. Other businesses that participated in 2009 were: Squatters, Retro Rose, Especially For You, Bruges Waffles and Frites, Mid-City Salon, JC Penny Shared Services, Visit Salt Lake Information Center, Athay and DeLand, Uptown Cheapskate, I Love Sushi, Star of India, SLC Film Center, Toasters, Edinburgh Castle, Market Street, Green Pig Pub, Salt Lake City Bicycle, Judge Café and Grill and Positively 4th Street Music.

This is the final season for the Utes in the Mountain West Conference. Their success has earned them a place in the Pac-12. Go Utes!

The Downtown Alliance is dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce and entertainment. For more information, visit downtownslc.org.
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