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319th FSS hosts 2013 Super Bowl Extravaganza on Grand Forks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Xavier Navarro
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Force Support Squadron hosted another successful and entertaining Super Bowl Extravaganza event here Jan. 19.

More than 600 Airmen, friends and family attended the event. About $29,000 worth of autographed helmets, jerseys, photos and footballs were awarded during prize drawings, auctions and games of bingo.

There were roughly 100 more attendees than last year's SBE thanks to a twist in original plans.

"Every single year it changes a little bit, but the challenge this year was over there," said marketing director Julie McWalter, pointing across the road toward the Base Honor Guard building. "This year the Honor Guard building was used as an extension to accommodate people for the 2013 SBE."

McWalter said that SBE tickets sold out in a couple of hours on the first day of sales, prompting the 319th FSS to open up additional space so even more people could attend.

"Last year was a little more crowded; I think having it in two different places made it more comfortable," said Col. J. Scott Winstead, 69th Reconnaissance Group commander.

Thirteen games of bingo were played throughout the evening, with the first 12 paying out cash prizes ranging from $100 to $400.

The winner of the thirteenth and final game of bingo was Robin Elstad, a resident of Cushing, Minn. Her lucky card won her the grand prize, an all-expenses paid trip to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, La., which is scheduled to take place Feb. 3.

Speaking of her winning card, Elstad said she "got down to three, two and then down to one number.

"I needed a B15 as my last space, and then bingo!" she exclaimed.

The event marked the seventh consecutive year the base has hosted the SBE.