There is plenty of summertime left to log on to the Kentucky Department of Travel web site www.MyKentuckyBackyard.com and register for daily prizes in the Backyard Sweepstakes. Thousands have signed up to win a prize a-day valued at $50 or more since the promotion began in May. The sweepstakes concludes in mid-August with a grand prize of a deluxe houseboat trip provided by the State Dock on Lake Cumberland.

Since the on-line promotion went “live” on May 1, it has netted more than 21,000 visits from across Kentucky and the U.S., and there have been about 7,000 registrations for the sweepstakes. Nearly 200 locations in Kentucky have joined in the e-fun and though the contest is for Kentucky residents only, the site has been visited by computer users in 48 states. The promotion invites state residents to visit Kentucky events and attractions and while the summer sweepstakes ends in August, the site will continue with new values for travelers. Everyone who registers for the sweepstakes is eligible for the grand prize.

Visitors to the site also have the opportunity to share with other users their recommendations for favorite Kentucky places including trip and attraction ideas, shopping picks, golf outings and visits to bed and breakfasts on a page titled “Tell Us About It.” To see the reviews users click on the link titled “You Told Us.” Throughout the summer months different sites have been highlighted.

“Nobody knows Kentucky better than other Kentuckians,” said Mike Cooper, Commissioner of the state Department of Travel. “It’s been great to see the variety of recommendations that visitors to the site have sent to us. At a time of record gas prices, the My Kentucky Backyard e-campaign has been a fun and effective way for people to discover travel opportunities close to home.”

Another contest on the site is “Where’s Pat?,” a weekly quiz for participants to guess the whereabouts of Pat Stipes, who manages the broadcasting arena for the Travel Department. Stipes is pictured at various attractions and events around the state and the first web site visitor to guess his whereabouts gets an “Unbridled Spirit” beach towel and two tickets to Diamond Caverns in Park City (www.diamondcaverns.com/).

To see a complete list of prizes and register to win, log on to MyKentuckyBackyard.com and take a regional tour of the state, view videos of attractions and link to the Kentucky Department of Travel for more ideas on things to do and places to visit across the state. Prizes, including gift certificates and concert tickets, were contributed by businesses and attractions throughout Kentucky.