7-Eleven Celebrates 82nd Birthday with Biggest Slurpee Bash Ever

DALLAS -- This Saturday is 7-Eleven Day, and the day the world’s first convenience retailer celebrates its birthday. And this year the company promises it will be the biggest ever. 7-Eleven Inc. is planning to give away close to 5 million free 7.11-ounce Slurpee drinks to celebrate its 82nd birthday at more than 6,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, the company announced.

Additionally, the retailer added something new to its annual tradition of giving away cups of its iconic frozen drink -- live music. As an extra birthday bonus, this year’s colorful “Happy Birthday!” cups feature a Slurpee Nation rewards code worth two rewards points—enough to enter the 7-Eleven Day instant win game online at www.slurpee.com. Upon entering, all players receive a code to buy reduced-price Live Nation concert tickets for acts on tour this summer.

"Music seemed a natural extension to the big Slurpee birthday party we throw every year on 7-Eleven day," Evan Brody, 7-Eleven’s marketing manager for Slurpee and Big Gulp brands, said in a statement. "Every party is better with music, and we worked with Live Nation to come up with a way to make our celebration even bigger and better. Together, we’ve been able to provide an affordable way for people to see their favorite band in concert this summer."

Cup codes can be entered at www.slurpee.com or texted to 33992. The 7-Eleven Day instant win game runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (CDT) for a chance to win one of 711 $50 Live Nation Concert Cash prizes, redeemable for concert tickets sold at www.livenation.com.

Everyone entering the 7-Eleven Day instant win game at the Slurpee Web site will receive a code and link to purchase $7.11 lawn tickets for concerts at select Live Nation venues across the country (some additional fees apply).

The concert ticket codes are valid for the discounted ticket prices through Sunday, July 12, at 10 p.m. (CDT). The $7.11 tickets are good toward select general admission lawn seats at Live Nation-owned and operated venues while supplies last.

Slurpee street teams are planning "Slurpee-brations" and 7-Eleven birthday parties around the country with music, entertainment, prizes and food sampling. A 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. birthday-eve bash at a Hollywood 7-Eleven store in California will feature a live call-in show with local radio station KIIS, entertainment by the Los Angeles "electro" dance artists Dance Floor Kids and prizes including a free year of Slurpee drinks for the first 100 die-hard Slurpers who show up, the company reported.

Also, a San Rafael, Calif., store party will take on a Latin flavor with local celebrity Sam Aguilar emceeing the event sponsored by top Spanish-language station, KSJO-FM.

Each year, many new franchisees choose 7-Eleven’s birthday as the day to officially open their neighborhood store for business. Grand openings in New Jersey and Florida will double as birthday parties and Slurpee celebrations.

"7-Eleven Day also is known as free Slurpee day, because of how popular the beverage giveaway has become," says Jay Wilkins, brand manager for proprietary cold beverages. "We’ve been serving free Slurpee drinks on July 11, since our 75th birthday in 2002, and it continues to be a hit with customers. What better drink for a month that is typically the hottest of the year?"

Wilkins added: "But more importantly, we at 7-Eleven get a chance this Saturday to show customers our appreciation for their patronage all year."

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