• by Teresa Buyikian , November 12, 2024

After an extremely stressful election season, more people than ever may be dreading possible family drama around the Thanksgiving table.

Hard Mountain Dew aims to help. The brand announced its latest contest this week, appropriately called the “Ditch Your Family” sweepstakes. One U.S. citizen 21 years old or older, plus a guest, will win round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for three nights, as well as a $5,000 spending stipend for Thanksgiving travel. The only stipulation? The destination must be a U.S. location where Hard Mountain Dew is sold. (No worries, it’s sold in grocery stores nationwide).

The winner’s family won’t be left with an empty seat at the dinner table. The brand will ship them a life-sized cardboard cutout of their absent family member, along with “enough Hard Mountain Dew to keep the festivities flowing.”

Beginning today through Nov. 19, contestants can log on to HardMTNDewDitchYourFamily.com, where to enter they must write up exactly why they need a break from their family, as well as what they would prefer to be doing instead. Submissions will be scored on “authenticity, originality, and desperation for a true vacation,” per the brand.

“Your time off is precious – as are credit card travel points -- and we believe Hard Mountain Dew fans should be spending it far from the antics of the Thanksgiving dinner table,” said Erica Taylor, senior brand director for Hard Mountain Dew, said in the announcement. “Instead, you should be getting out, doing what you want and pursuing your passions.”

 The brand is promoting the “Ditch Your Family” contest on its X, Facebook and Instagram platforms.