August 25, 2005
Contact Susan Jividen, 740-435-3335
CAMBRIDGE – With an estimated 18,000 people attending the third annual Deerassic Classic Giveaway held August 5 th and 6 th , the weekend event was considered a great success. Several hundred campers began setting up on Monday prior to the event at the Deerassic Park Education Center, in support of this annual fundraising event for the non-profit National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation.
Attendees came from states as far away as Florida, Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Missouri, and Canada to spend the weekend in Guernsey County. All regional lodging facilities and campgrounds were booked months prior to the event.
The top prize winner at Saturday's Deerassic Classic Giveaway drawing was Herbert Mosley of Bellevue, Ohio, who won $50,000 with a ticket purchased at a Toledo Gander Mountain. Don Christman of North Lawrence, Ohio, won Friday's top Big Buck Bonus Ticket prize of a 2005 Luxury Edition H2 Hummer. The Friday 50/50 winner, Ronald Dunlap of Tippecanoe, took home $13,512 while the Saturday 50/50 reached $96,342 with Cambridge businessman Bill Ward taking home $48,171 in cash. Winning numbers from the weekend are posted on www.deerassic.com .
“Each year we try to add more opportunities for our supporters. We want to continue to create a fun adult atmosphere during the drawing and also entertain everyone that attends the event. The addition of more and more spectacular side raffles each year encourages folks to attend that weren't able to purchase one of the Deerassic Classic Giveaway tickets, affording them the chance to win something great.” said NWDEF founder and park Operations Director Dean Ziegler. “The success of these events helps build community support and confidence that we can continue to make our vision a reality. The addition of a second pavilion and the forthcoming groundbreaking for our educational building will also get us closer to being open for the public, which will be great for the community,” he added.
Local and regional sponsors who helped make this year's Classic possible include Presenting Sponsors: Batteries Unlimited, Buckeye Cam, Centre Party Rental, Dunning Motor Sales, Inc., Dutchmans Hunt'n Paradise, Gutridge Grill Supply Ltd., Gander Mountain, Haas Honda, Horton Crossbow, Kames Sports, Lashley Tractor Sales, Inc., Matesich Distributing, Miz Mac Designs, North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA), Pine Lakes Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Resort & Conference Center, Project Child Safe, Rocky Outdoor Gear Store, Stiegler Chiropractic Rehabilitation, Stoney's RV Sales & Service and Walnut Creek Furniture.
Exhibiting sponsors were Ameristep, Big Bucks Outdoors, Liberty Gun Safe Company, Newhouse Printing, Rain Riders, Inc., Stealth Cam and Warwick Game Manager.
Horton Celebrity Challenge Sponsors included the above Exhibiting and Presenting sponsors plus, Bon Ton Studio, Buckeye Outdoors, Comfort Inn, Craft Electric, Fink's Harley Davidson, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Zanesville, Pro-Tect Systems, Inc., Speedy Print, Studio 187, and Woodbury Outfitters.
Friday night guests were treated to a free concert by Third Wheel from Nashville, which had the crowd dancing and rocking late into the night. The Charlie Daniels Band played favorites Saturday evening, providing a very patriotic crowd with music like only Charlie Daniels can. That performance was followed by a fantastic fireworks display lasting over 20 minutes.
The Classic drawing kicked off Saturday with the national anthem sung by regional talent Lindsey Lesnock of West Finley, Pennsylvania. Weekend host, Jon Petz entertained the crowd with his magical comedy and world record attempts. Tractor-drawn hay-wagons provided shuttles from parking to the event area, and Saturday's attendees were treated to free barbecue-style food by Cowboy Dan's Concessions and ice cream from Smiths Dairy of Orville, Ohio. A large Event TV screen magnified the stage happenings both days allowing viewing from various vantage points as the crowd mingled through the sponsors' exhibits.
National celebrities including spokesperson Irlene Mandrell, five time I.B.O World Champion Archer Joella Bates, and television personalities Dirt King and Charlie Ingram of the Outdoor Life Network's “Hunting University,” were on site all weekend signing autographs and meeting and greeting Classic attendees.
The staff at Deerassic Park wishes to thank ticket purchasers, attendees and all the group and individual volunteers and sponsors who helped make the production of this grand event possible. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2006 for next years drawing –updates will be posted at: www.deerassic.com . Thanks again to all involved and we hope to see you at Deerassic Classic Giveaway 2006!