Why go somewhere else when you already live in a world-class tourist destination?

New Bern Post is teaming up with New Bern Bed & Breakfasts, Restaurants, and Entertainment Venues for an amazing sweepstakes that will earn four lucky couples a weekend vacation—without having to leave New Bern.

Update: Winners were selected during a drawing held beside the Baxter’s Clock on Pollock Street shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Wendy Card of New Bern Now drew the four winners, who are identified with the packages that they won, below.

The event is called When COVID is OVER (#WCIO).

The object is for people to enter the sweepstakes and for winners to have something they can look forward towhen COVID-19 is no longer dictating how we live our lives.

The sweepstakes is simple: New Bern Post will roll out articles about each event sponsor over the next month, starting Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Each article will have its own unique entry form with which to enter online.

You can enter once per entry form. There will be 10 entry forms in all, spread out between Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, and Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

Other New Bern Post events

Keep an eye out for headlines with the hash tag #WCIO on newbernpost.com, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed.

You might want to follow all of our event sponsors on social media for updates and information about this fun event.

The lucky winners will be notified on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2021 … because 2020 will be OVER, and what a great way to start the new year!

There are two Overnight Packages and two Day Out Packages. See below for more information.

We think you will enjoy learning about these locally-owned businesses, which bring vitality and jobs to our community

Sweepstakes prizes

Bed & Breakfast sponsors

Dining sponsors

Entertainment sponsors

Packages

Overnight Package 1

Winner: Karen Poole

InnBenjamin Ellis
DinnerThe Chelsea
LunchBaker’s Kitchen
EntertainmentTryon Palace

Overnight Package 2

Winner: Jan Gunderson

InnMeadows Inn
DinnerPersimmons
LunchPaula’s Pizza
EntertainmentTryon Palace

Day Out Package 1

Winner: Lee McDonough

DinnerPersimmons
LunchSweet Pea’s Cafe
EntertainmentTryon Palace
EntertainmentNew Bern Civic Theatre

Day Out Package 2

Winner: Randy Toran

DinnerPersimmons
LunchSweet Pea’s Cafe
EntertainmentTryon Palace
EntertainmentBeary the Hatchet

Rules

When COVID is OVER Official Sweepstakes Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. (A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.) When COVID is OVER is a collaboration between New Bern Post LLC, 1322 Spencer Avenue, New Bern, NC 28560, the Sponsor, along with the following New Bern, NC business sponsors: Meadows Inn Bed & Breakfast, 212 Pollock St.; Benjamin Ellis House Bed & Breakfast, 215 Pollock St.; The Chelsea, 335 Middle St.;  Paula’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza, 3946 Dr. M. L  K. Jr. Blvd; Baker’s Kitchen, 227 Middle St.; New Bern Civic Theatre, 404 Pollock St.; Persimmons, 100 Pollock St. Sweet Pea’s Cafe, 3515 Trent Rd.; Tryon Palace, 529 S. Front St.; and Beary The Hatchet, 417 B S. Front St. 

How to Enter:

No purchase is necessary. Enter by signing up at any of the business sponsors’ online sign-up forms included with their feature articles. Enter your name and email address. You can only enter once per online form, for a total of 9.

Your Email Address:

The business sponsor may choose to use the email address you provide in order to send emails to you about the sweepstakes or about other things. You can always unsubscribe from a mailing list.

Promotion Campaign Period:

Sweepstakes begins at noon EDT Monday, Nov. 30, 2020
and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

All entries will be entered into a random drawing on Jan. 1, 2021.

Prizes:

  1. Overnight Package 1: One night at Benjamin Ellis House Bed & Breakfast for 2 adults; dinner for 2 at The Chelsea, lunch or breakfast for 2 at Baker’s Kitchen, and 2 adult tickets for entry into all open attractions at Tryon Palace.
  2. Overnight Package 2: One night at The Meadows Bed & Breakfast for 2 adults, dinner or lunch for 2 at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant, dinner or lunch for 2 at Paula’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza, and 2 adult tickets for entry into all open attractions at Tryon Palace.
  3. Day Out Package 1: Dinner for 2 at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant, lunch or breakfast for 2 at Sweet Pea’s, 2 adult tickets for entry into all open attractions at Tryon Palace, and tickets for 2 for a regular performance at New Bern Civic Theatre once performances resume.
  4. Day Out Package 2: Dinner for 2 at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant, lunch or breakfast for 2 at Sweet Pea’s Cafe, 2 adults tickets for entry into all open attractions at Tryon Palace, and tickets for 2 for entry into Beary The Hatchet.

Eligibility:

You must be at least 18 years old to register. Employees and families of Sponsor and business sponsors are not eligible to register. You can only apply online.

Odds of Winning:

Your odds of winning depends on the number of total entries received during the promotional campaign period. Multiple entries might improve your chances, but whether you make a purchase has no effect on your odds.

The Winners:

The winners will be randomly selected from all entries, with the first drawn winning Prize No. 4 as described above, the second drawn winning Prize No. 3 as described above, the third drawn winning Prize No, 2 as described above, and the fourth drawn winning prize No. 1 as described above. Winners will be notified by phone or email, and need to provide some form of official identification when they pick up the prize. If we don’t hear from you within three days, an alternate winner will be selected by random drawing of remaining entries.

Prizes:

No substitution or transfer of the prize is allowed. The business sponsors do have the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value. If the prize is a gift card, the sponsor is not obligated to replace it if it is lost, stolen, damaged, or expired. No photocopies of a gift card will be honored.

Conditions:

By entering, you agree to comply with these rules. The decisions made by the sponsor and of business sponsors are final and binding. None of the sponsors of this sweepstakes assume any sort of liability for any reason as a result of the sweepstakes.

This promotion complies with all state and federal laws and is not intended to be a form of gambling. Any person attempting to use it for gambling will be disqualified and reported to the authorities. All state, federal, and local laws apply.