Space Needle Asks the Nation to "Top Off Our 50th" with a Fresh Paint Job

SEATTLE, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In hushed tones in homes, bars and cafes throughout Seattle, a debate wages – Galaxy Gold or Astronaut White. Which hue is more suited for roof of the city's iconic Space Needle? Now, it's up to you.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120821/SF60910)

With a new paint job atop the Space Needle's roof that was unveiled today, our landmark tower will be accepting design and color submissions to the "Top Off Our 50^th challenge. For the first time, a fan of the Space Needle will see his or her design painted on the roof of the 605-foot-tall structure for the world to see. The design and, quite frankly, some pretty legit bragging rights for its mastermind will adorn the roof from October 21, 2012 through April 21, 2013, the day of its 51^st birthday. To tease the kick-off, Galaxy Gold berets with the hashtag "#Top This" were placed around the city.

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. Open to US residents, young and old, citizens have until midnight on Thursday, September 20, to submit their best design. A panel of judges will review and select a number of finalists which will be posted on Facebook for public voting.

On Sunday, October 21 – as the Space Needle celebrates the anniversary of the closing day of the 1962 World's Fair – the winning design will be revealed. Painting will begin as quickly as the weather permits. Besides the honor of being the first-ever to have a personal design on the Space Needle, the winner will also receive various prizes all tied to the Space Needle's 50^th Anniversary.

Ron Sevart, Space Needle President and CEO, said, "This really is a nod to our heritage. 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."

"Top Off Our 50^th" will cap off a year that has included a competition to send a private citizen to space, a retro day that brought the original price of admission to the 520-foot Observation Deck back to $1 and the color back to its original Galaxy Gold.

The Space Needle is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2012. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has become the Number One attraction in the Pacific Northwest, with over one million visitors each year. Along with Sky City, the world's first revolving restaurant, the Space Needle is now recognized as the global icon for the City of Seattle.

SOURCE The Space Needle