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Got a sharp idea for painting the 605-foot-high roof of a needle? Then the owners of Seattle’s landmark Space Needle have an offer for you.
The Space Needle is seeking public designs and colors to give the tower a new paint job in honor of its 50th anniversary. The contest runs until Sept. 20. Colors and designs that make the judge’s cut will be submitted to a public vote.
The invitation for the Top Off Our 50th contest is also posted on the Needle’s roof.
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Space Needle LLC |
| The Space Needle is challenging the public to come up with a new rooftop color and design in honor of the landmark’s 50th birthday. |
The tower was painted “Galaxy Gold” back in April to kick off the tower’s half-century mark; the same color coated the structure when it opened at the World’s Fair in 1962.
Historic Paint Job
“For the first time, a fan of the Space Needle will see his or her design painted on the roof,” according to a release from Space Needle LLC, which owns and operates the structure.
“Like its very creation enabled by a small, tenacious group of community leaders back in 1962, this challenge once again places the future of the Space Needle in the hands of the passionate community of dreamers, risk takers and daredevils it serves,” the company said.
Painting will begin as soon as the weather permits, and the new design will be displayed from Oct. 21 through April 21, 2013 (the tower’s 51st birthday).
The contest is open to all U.S. residents. A blank template for design submission and other information about the contest are available here.
‘Symbol of the Future’
“This really is a nod to our heritage,” said Ron Sevart, Space Needle president and CEO. “We were built as a symbol of the future, born of the imagination of a few, and embraced by the world. As we look ahead, this is our way to continue to stir the imagination and look ahead to our next 50 years.”
A panel of judges will review and select a number of finalists, whose designs will be posted on Facebook for public voting. The winner will be announced Oct. 21.
In addition to bragging rights and a piece of posterity, the winner will receive various prizes related to the Space Needle’s 50th anniversary.
“Top Off Our 50th” will cap off a year that has also included a competition to send a private citizen to space and a retro day that returned the original $1 admission price for the 520-foot Observation Deck.
From Napkin to Reality
The Space Needle was the brainchild of Eddie Carlson, who doodled the famous structure on a placemat at a coffee house.
From inception to construction, the Needle’s road was not an easy one. But the Howard S. Wright Construction Company built the tower, and the city has never been the same.
Now, the Space Needle is one of the top tourist destinations in the Pacific Northwest, drawing more than one million visitors each year.
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