McCormick is giving children nationwide the chance to put their creative egg-dyeing skills to the test. One lucky child's egg design will be named the grand prize winner and she will receive a seven-day family vacation to Washington D.C., and the chance to participate in the 2005 Easter egg roll on the South Lawn at the White House. In addition, 10 first prizes of a portable Toshiba DVD player and collection of classic Easter DVDs will be awarded.
"We're giving children the opportunity to show off their creativity and be part of the country's most popular Easter celebration," said Laurie Harrsen, director of public relations at McCormick. "We can't wait to see the imaginative designs children will submit."
Coloring bright, egg-citing eggs is a snap. Here are some other tips to help get you started:
Combine a half-cup of boiling water, one teaspoon of vinegar and the specified number of drops of McCormick food color to achieve desired colors. Dip hard-cooked eggs in dye for about five minutes or until desired color. Remember to add and remove eggs from dye with a slotted spoon or tongs.
Lime - 24 drops yellow, 4 drops green
Cantaloupe - 24 yellow, 2 red
Plum - 10 red, 4 blue
Spearmint - 12 green, 6 yellow, 2 blue
Watermelon - 25 red, 2 blue
Grape - 17 blue, 3 red
Jungle Green - 14 green, 6 yellow
Purple - 15 blue, 5 red
Jade - 17 green, 3 blue
Maize - 24 yellow, 1 red
Raspberry - 14 red, 6 blue
Teal - 15 green, 5 blue
Fuchsia - 18 red, 2 blue
Orange Sunset - 17 yellow, 3 red
For an exciting two-tone effect, dip the top half of hard-cooked eggs in one food color and the bottom half in another.
Combine 10 drops of one color with 1/2 teaspoon each water and vinegar, and use a paintbrush or cotton swab to add stripes, polka dots, zigzags, and more onto hard-cooked eggs.
Before dyeing eggs, apply stickers to create images such as chicks, bunnies or flowers. Dip eggs in dye as you would normally. Remove stickers once eggs have dried to reveal perfectly "drawn" designs.
Each contest entry will be judged by an independent panel and evaluated on the following criteria: creative use of color (60%) and originality (40%). Judges will consider each child's age when reviewing entries.
The grand prize winner will be notified, by mail, on or about July 7, 2004. Children who enter the competition will receive a free McCormick Fun with Food Color activity booklet.
Entering the contest, which is open to children under 18 years of age, is easy:
1. Complete an official entry form, available at participating grocery stores, visit McCormick's website for a printable, downloadable form, or call 1-800-MEAL-TIP (1-800-632-5847).
2. Include a 3x5, 4x6 or 5x7 color photo of the decorated Easter egg, and a store-identified cash register receipt for the purchase of any McCormick Food Color product (with purchase price circled). All submissions must be received on or before April 30, 2004, and work must be the child's own original creation.
3. Mail entries to: McCormick Egg-citing Easter in Washington D.C. Contest, P.O. Box 6724, Saddlebrook, NJ 07663.