CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice is inviting all West Virginians to the State Capitol Complex in Charleston this Sunday, June 20, 2021, for a day of fun in celebration of West Virginia’s 158th birthday and to watch the first prize giveaway of the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” vaccination sweepstakes.
Prior to the main ceremony, a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held on Kanawha Boulevard, in front of the West Virginia Capitol Building, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary, however, attendees must bring a valid state-issued West Virginia driver’s license or identification card along with a recent utility bill that includes a West Virginia address. The Pfizer and one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available.
Throughout the day, food will be available to purchase at multiple food trucks and vendors. A West Virginia-themed airstream designed by the State Department of Tourism will also be on-site.
The main ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Plaza on the south side of the Capitol Building. During an address, Gov. Justice will announce the conclusion of the Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement in West Virginia.
From there, the Governor will announce the “Do it for Babydog” vaccination lottery’s first million-dollar prize winner. He will also announce the winners of several additional prizes, including two brand new custom-outfitted trucks, two full four-year scholarships to any public institution in the state, five lifetime hunting licenses, five lifetime fishing licenses, five custom hunting rifles, five custom hunting shotguns, and 25 weekend getaways to West Virginia State Parks.
Babydog, the official mascot of the vaccination lottery, will be on-hand for the event, providing West Virginians in attendance a chance to meet the Governor’s famous pooch.
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The main ceremony will also include performances by Mountain Stage Band.
Additionally, West Virginia Department of Administration Secretary Allan McVey will join Gov. Justice for a special presentation to celebrate the completion of renovations to the gold dome atop the Capitol Building.
Following the main ceremony, Sec. McVey will hold a chandelier raising event inside the Capitol Building to mark the completion of the restoration project. Members of the media are invited to attend.
At 2:30 p.m., Gov. Justice will join West Virginia native and hero Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, for a dedication ceremony at the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Capitol Complex.
At 3 p.m., Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will continue the celebration of West Virginia’s 158th birthday at the State Culture Center, where the Governor and First Lady will renew the annual tradition of cutting the ceremonial State birthday cake. Cupcakes and punch will be served to members of the public in attendance. The ceremony will also include a special award ceremony for the First Lady’s “Student Artist Series: Renaming West Virginia Essay Contest” winners.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will be hosting additional West Virginia Day festivities at the Culture Center that will be fun for the whole family, including the sale of new limited edition Blenko glass pieces, new art exhibits, activities for children, and more. Click here for more details.
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“DO IT FOR BABYDOG: SAVE A LIFE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE” VACCINATION SWEEPSTAKES:
While the registration deadline to be eligible to win in the first prize drawing on Sunday has passed, all vaccinated West Virginians are still able and encouraged to register online for the Governor’s “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” vaccination lottery. Additional prize drawings will be held every week through August 4.
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You must receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to be eligible to register for the vaccination sweepstakes. Vaccinations are now available to all West Virginians ages 12 and older.
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Weekly prize giveaways for vaccinated West Virginians ages 18 and older include one cash prize of $1 million, two brand new custom-outfitted trucks, 25 weekend getaways to West Virginia State Parks, five lifetime hunting licenses, five lifetime fishing licenses, five custom hunting rifles, and five custom hunting shotguns. Additionally, two full four-year scholarships to any public institution in the state will also be given away each week to vaccinated West Virginians ages 12-25.
The final drawing will also include a $1.588 million grand prize and a $588,000 second prize.
Over 246,000 West Virginians have registered for the sweepstakes to date. To register, visit DoitforBabydog.wv.gov.
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