News

Ivar's celebrating 75th anniversary

October 9, 2013

Ivar's, a Seattle-based fast casual seafood restaurant that also has three fulls-service restaurants, is celebrating 75 years in the business with a "surprise" ad campaign, Facebook contest and additional special culinary, book signing and charity events through December.

Throughout its 75-year history, Ivar's and its founder, Ivar Haglund, have staged numerous pranks and stunts and developed creative commercials that made headlines, such as Ivar's Dances with Clams, Ivar's Rapping Fisherman and the shortest Super Bowl commercial in history, according to a company press release. Carrying on the tradition, Ivar's is staging a new ad campaign that will leave viewers guessing and taking a walk down memory lane with some of Ivar's notable cast of characters. The commercials will air locally throughout October.

Fans can also get in on the action online. Ivar's launched its 75th anniversary Facebook contest where fans can enter to win two tickets to Ivar's 75th Clamiversary dinner (valued at $150) now through Oct. 21. Ivar's will randomly select one winner for three consecutive weeks. Visit Ivar's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/IvarsRestaurants and click on "75th Contest" to enter.

Additional Ivar's 75th anniversary festivities include:

75th Clamiversary dinner: On Oct. 24 at 6 p.m., Ivar's Salmon House will host an anniversary dinner celebration. The $75 five-course meal (featuring recipes from Ivar's Cookbook) includes wine pairings and an autographed copy of the cookbook. Call 206-632-0767 to reserve.

Clams for Charity: On Oct. 15 and 29, Ivar's will donate all proceeds to Northwest Harvest, Washington's only statewide food bank distributor, serving more than 20 million meals per year, and to the Seattle Aquarium with its mission of "inspiring conservation of our marine environment," respectively.

$7.50 dining deals: Ivar's Seafood Bars and restaurants, including Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and Ivar's Mukilteo Landing will offer $7.50 food and drink specials through Nov. 17.

Ivar's Cookbook menu specials: Now through Nov. 17, Ivar's restaurants will showcase best-of recipes from the company's new seafood cookbook, rotating delicious dishes on its fresh sheets every few weeks.

Cookbook signings: Ivar's President Bob Donegan and Ivar's culinary staff are hosting a variety of cookbook signing events throughout the fall. During the signings, seafood fans will get a sneak peek inside the pages of the cookbook, and are able to purchase autographed copies, sample recipes from the cookbook, enter to win prizes and meet Ivar's famous Dancing Clam.

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