BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo-based Oxford Pennant picked a winner for its America's Warmest Cold City sweepstakes.
And the winner is ... Kristi Lucchese from Dallas, Texas, come on down!
Lucchese's grand prize includes a round-trip flight and hotel to Buffalo. The visit must be between February 7 and March 15. The contest aims to encourage winter tourism.
She also won a whole bunch of gift cards to local stores, restaurants and attractions, giving her plenty to do while she's here.
Lucchese will also get $2,000 to split between two charities of her choice: one here and one in her hometown of Dallas.
Management at Oxford Pennant says it's during the rough winter weather that Buffalo is at its best.
"Those are the times that the community really seems to band together, right?" Oxford Pennant co-founder David Horesh said.
"Those are the times where you're digging out your neighbors, or you're snowblowing their driveway, or you're just meeting your buddies at the bar because everything else is closed. And that's when we believe real communities are built, so that's the best time to see the city in our opinion."