No purchase necessary, up to 5 valid entries per contestant. You must upload a photo of your HERO.

You must be 18 years of age or older at time of entry to be eligible for this contest. This contest is void where prohibited by law.

Drawing will be held close of business day on September 9th. Winners will be notified by email or by phone IF phone number is provided. If a winner does not respond to email or cannot be contacted by close of business day on Thursday, September 10, another winner will be chosen.  If The News and Observer cannot find an eligible winner for the prize, that prize will not be awarded. 

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.


The News and Observer reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. 

The News and Observer reserves the right to restrict the local winners to only persons whose primary residence is within our circulation area. Entries outside of our DMA will be disqualified.

Employees of The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show, their respective parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising sponsors and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of each are not eligible. 

Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest commissioners, which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest. 

Entrants further grant to The The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the Contest.

The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show reserves the right to use any and all information related to the Contest, including information on contestants obtained through the contest, for marketing purposes or any other purpose, unless prohibited by law. 

The Contest and all of the related pages, contents and code are copyright, UPICKEM, and/or The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show. Copying or unauthorized use of any copyrighted materials, trademarks or any other intellectual property without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited. 

Each winner, by acceptance of the prize, agrees to release all Sponsors, and their parent and subsidiary companies, their officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, and advertising agencies from all liability, claims, or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages, or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership, or use of the prize.

UPICKEM and The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show are not responsible for Internet crashes or slowdowns caused by network congestion, viruses, sabotage, satellite failures, phone line failures, electrical outages, natural disasters or acts of man or God.

All results posted are unofficial until winners respond to e-mail or phone (if provided) notification.

Each winner is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and will be required to complete an IRS form W-9. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold prizes until completed form W-9 is received.

This contest is not intended for gambling. If it is determined that a contestant is using the contest for gambling purposes they will be disqualified and reported to authorities.

The News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show reserves the right to change the rules at any time.

This contest is officially sponsored by The Raleigh News and Observer and the Downtown Raleigh Home Show.