The Mississippi Valley Blues Society is offering a "Blues Cruise for Two" raffle for a 7-day cruise on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise sailing in January 2016. Raffle ticket sales will officially begin on May 23, 2015. Only 150 tickets will be sold for $100 each chance. State of Iowa gambling regulations do not allow on-line purchase of raffle tickets. However, the MVBS "Blues Cruise for Two" raffle ticket mail order forms can be found at MVBS.org. This raffle is a fundraiser for MVBS and proceeds will go towards producing the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival held September 5 -6, 2015.
The cruise for two will be on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise #26 to the Eastern Caribbean January 17-24, 2016. The Holland America ms Niew Amsterdam will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Tortola BVI, St. Croix USVI and Bahamas Private Island. Blues bands that are scheduled to play to-date include Taj Mahal & the Phantom Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Elvin Bishop, Mickey Thomas, Latimore, North Mississippi Allstars, Tab Benoit , Tommy Castro, Samantha Fish, Ruthie Foster, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Colin James, Phantom Blues Band, Danielle Nicole Band, Sugar Blue Band, Kelley Hunt, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, and more!
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society plays an important role locally, nationally, and internationally to "keep the blues alive." The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is the only major blues festival in the country that is produced by an all-volunteer blues society, without major corporate support. "The Festival is an important part of what the MVBS does to Keep the Blues Alive," according to Scott Klarkowski, MVBS President. "We plan to continue that excellence for the 31st annual Blues Festival September 5 and 6, but we need some help to do so. The 'Blues Cruise for Two' raffle is a great way to keep the blues alive and support our organization."
About The Raffle:
- Only one ticket will be drawn to win the cruise for two.
- This raffle is being held in compliance with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Chapter 99B.
- The IRS does not allow money spent on raffle tickets to be tax deductible contributions.
- The winning ticket will not include transportation to and from Ft. Lauderdale FL, additional ship/port fees ($230 per person), fuel surcharges (announced no later than 30 days prior to sailing), and any gratuities (collected on-board by Holland America).
- Only 150 tickets will be sold, with the drawing being held when the last of 150 tickets are sold or September 6, 2015 during the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival.
- All are eligible to win, including MVBS members and affiliates.
- You need not be present to win.
