Star Wars Contest

The Star Wars Contest, full name The Official Star Wars Comic Strip Contest, was a contest that was created shortly after A New Hope was created.

Background
After the successful release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, as well as the release of the daily/Sunday strips in the Los Angeles Times, LucasFilm decided to create a contest promoting the eventual release of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and hold it nationally.

Rules of entry
The rules were simple: The contestant simply had to write a letter and/or postcard to LucasFilm Ltd. confirming that they have read the comic strip in the Spokesman Review, by midnight on Halloween of 1979, of which the winners will then be determined randomly at an independent firm.

The location for letter/postcard submissions were at:

STAR WARS CONTEST The Spokesman-Review C/O LOS ANGELES TIMES SYNDICATE P.O. Box 511 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 90053.

Grand Prize
The grand prize winner won an all-expenses paid vacation for two at the gala U.S. Premiere at the then-continuing entry of the Star Wars movie saga, The Empire Strikes Back. The winner, and his/her guest, will then fly on a commercial airline, stay at a luxury hotel, and receive a full allowance on all meals.

Runner-up
The runner up won a special selection of Star Wars toys, games, books, and craft kits worth $150.00, as well as two complementary tickets to The Empire Strikes Back that will be issued upon release locally.

Third Prize
Those who won third prize locally will receive one Random House issued book Star Wars Question and Answers Book About Space per letter/postcard.