WORCESTER, Mass. (May 20, 2009),The EcoTarium, Higgins Armory Museum, Old Sturbridge Village and the Worcester Tornadoes, today announced that they are teaming up to promote “Cover the Bases,” a contest to encourage more people to visit and enjoy some of the area’s best entertainment.

“Cover the Bases” will run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The grand prize winner will receive 2010 season tickets for a family of four to the Worcester Tornadoes, as well as family memberships to the EcoTarium, Higgins Armory Museum and Old Sturbridge Village. Other winners will receive a family membership and/or season tickets to one of the four participating organizations.

The contest has been made possible through a grant from The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities where The Hanover does business.

Beginning May 23, “Cover the Bases,” game cards will be available at any of the four participating locations. To play the game, a participant simply has to visit each of the four locations – representing the four bases on the baseball diamond – and have his/her card stamped.

Once the card has all four stamps, the participant returns the completed game card at any of the four locations and is entered to win more than a dozen prizes. Participants who hand in completed cards also will receive a token of acknowledgement that they completed the game and supported some of Worcester County’s finest destinations.

“Cover the Bases” game cards also will serve as discount coupons at each location, providing $2 off the cost of individual entry for up to four people.

“Worcester County really hits it out of the park when it comes to having something to satisfy every cultural appetite,” said Linda McGowan, president, The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation. “We want to encourage individuals and families alike to take advantage of these local gems, which not only entertain, but help to educate and enrich people of all ages.”

To kick off the contest Worcester Tornadoes mascot, Twister, will visit each location on Saturday, May 23, to hand out “Cover the Bases” game cards, sign autographs, take pictures and participate in some of the fun activities scheduled at each venue. His schedule is as follows: – Higgins Armory – Sat. May 23 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – EcoTarium – Sat. May 23 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Old Sturbridge Village – Sat. May 23 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.coverthebases.com or inquire at any of the participating organizations.

“The EcoTarium is very excited to take part in this collaborative effort. Cover the Bases offers a fun way for families to explore Worcester County’s unique array of family-friendly destinations,” said Steve Pitcher, president of the EcoTarium. “Go Tornadoes!”

“With the uncertain economy, people are looking for fun things to do close to home. ‘Cover the Bases’ gives families an incentive to re-visit area museums and take in a baseball game – giving them a chance to rediscover entertainment choices right here in Central Massachusetts,” said Ann Lindblad, director of marketing and communications at Old Sturbridge Village.

“Parents will always be searching for new and exciting experiences to share with their children. I believe the Cover the Bases game will allow those parents to visit four outstanding venues within a half hour drive of each other without breaking the family budget,” said Dave Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing, Worcester Tornadoes Professional Baseball.

“It’s not uncommon to hear local residents say, ‘Oh, I visit you when I have out-of-town guests.’ Cover the Bases puts Worcester’s family-friendly attractions back in the public eye for the entire summer,” said Nikki Andersen, executive director of the Higgins Armory Museum. “In fact, in challenging economic times, we’re some of the most cost-friendly options for families in central Massachusetts. With our changing programs, we’re worth visiting more than once this summer. Come visit, come often!”