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GREENSBORO — If you long to vacation in your own hometown, here’s a chance.

Both the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau and Downtown Greensboro Inc. are offering contests that include free stays in various Gate City hotels, meals in local restaurants and tickets to area attractions.

It’s all about what CVB officials call “stay-cations.”

They’re inviting folks to stop by the Greensboro Visitor Center, 2200 Pinecroft Road, Suite 200, across from Four Seasons Town Centre, and “Experience Greensboro.”

Those who register will have a chance to win overnight hotel stays and a variety of admission tickets and prizes.

“Usually, we go out to the welcome centers and greet people and talk about all the things Greensboro has to offer,” said Gail Murphy, the CVB’s director of marketing and communications. “This year we said, 'Let’s stay here and show the local folks what gems are in their own backyard.’ ”

The contest runs today through May 17. For details, go to www.visitgreensboronc.com.

For the folks at DGI, they want their contest to call attention to their part of the city.

The winner gets an overnight stay at the Marriott Downtown, dinner at the Undercurrent Restaurant and tickets to one of the center city’s theaters.

“We are trying to accomplish an awareness of the wide variety of shopping and entertainment and lodging options that downtown offers,” said Ed Wolverton, DGI’s president and CEO. “It does have the added benefit in these economic times of providing a getaway, even if it is in town.”

To enter, visit www.nrprocessing .com/dgi. The deadline is May 17.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com