Got Winter Blues? Three Opportunities to Win A Sunny Florida Vacation

I’m a Buffalo gal down to my soul yet I’ve run away from snowy winters to the warmer climes of Southwest Florida. If you have the winter blues here are a few somethin’-somethins’ to cheer you up, three Florida getaway contests! Each is offering something really special, ranging from a weekend getaway in the Sunshine State to a DECADE of Florida vacations.

Now go on get busy entering and good luck. By the way, don’t forget to send me a postcard if you win!

Florida: 500 Years of Adventure Sweepstakes
In the spirit of Viva Florida 500, the year-long celebration of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon landing in what is now the Sunshine State in 1513, VISIT FLORIDA is giving away a vacation prize package once a week through 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 29, 2013. Yeah, that’s right, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation is giving away 50 vacation packages ranging from beach getaways to a weekend in the wilds of Old Florida with the 500 Years of Adventure Sweepstakes. Register to win every day at win.VISITFLORIDA.com.  (Link to Official Rules for 50 Years of Adventures Sweepstakes)

St. Pete/Clearwater: I Need Sun
Let’s be honest, you could use a little sunshine right now right? How about soaking up the sun on Clearwater Beach which USA Today recently named the best beach town in Florida? Thanks to the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater here’s your chance to enter three different ways daily through 5 p.m. EDT on April 30, 2013, in the I Need Sun conest. The prize? One of 30, three-night stays at a St. Petersburg or Clearwater beach property. Visit www.ineedsun.com to enter. #ineedsun (Link to Official Rules for I Need Sun)

Kissimmee: Decade of Memories
This has got to be the mother load of vacation giveaways to date. Experience Kissimmee will award a grand prize winner with 10 trips to Kissimmee over the next 10 years with the Decade of Memories contest. Each trip is for seven days and six nights and includes round-trip air, accommodations with Westgate Resorts, a rental car and $25,000. Get this, the winner can bring along up to five guests on each vacation! You could visit Disney World or maybe pedal through treetops.

Entering and winning is a little more involved than simply filling out a sweepstakes form. Entrants need to tell a story on what they would do with a decade of Kissimmee vacations. A panel of judges will then narrow down the applicants to 25 and ask them to submit a video. From there, five finalists will have their videos displayed on the Experience Kissimmee Facebook page for public voting and then one grand prize winner will be announced.

Better hurry, submissions are being accepted through 11:59:59 a.m. ET on Feb. 28, 2013, and you can enter by visiting decadeofmemories.com. #kiss10 (Link to Official Rules for Decade of Memories)

Good Luck!
I’ve provided an overview of each contest and prize but please visit each website for the official rules such as who is eligible, the prizes, how to enter, etc., in which I’ve included. Again, good luck!

Have you ever vacationed in the Sunshine State? What’s your favorite Florida vacation memory? I still remember our family driving down from Buffalo and stopping at a Florida Welcome Center to get our shot of fresh orange juice.

Disclosure: I currently serve on a VISIT FLORIDA committee and am a past employee however opinions are my own.