The Anchorage Downtown Partnership has issued a challenge to Alaskans: Dine downtown for big prizes.

From now until the end of April, Downtown Dining Challenge participants will receive a sticker for each entrée they purchase from any of 16 local restaurants. Stickers are collected on scorecards that can be redeemed for prizes, and the customer with the highest number of stickers will win a one-night stay at the Hotel Captain Cook.

"The contest was first started because this is the slow season and we wanted people to get out of their everyday routine to support local restaurants," Emily Bolling, marketing director for the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, said. "We had a similar contest last year called Winter Wednesdays but the restaurants' feedback was that it was limited to one day a week. So this year, every day customers can add to their game card."

To join the free challenge, customers can acquire a game card from participating restaurants (or click on the image on this page and print your own). Once a game card has 10 stickers, a customer can return it to Anchorage Downtown Partnership for prizes that include gift certificates to downtown restaurants.

"This challenge appeals to so many people because some of the participating restaurants are established and some are not, so we have a great variety for the public to try," Bolling said.

Participating restaurants include downtown institutions like the Marx Bros. Café, Dianne's, Sack's and Snow City, as well as relative newcomers like Crush, Ginger and Muse, the new restaurant at the Anchorage Museum. There are after-work standbys like Humpy's, McGinley's and Simon & Seafort's, plus night spots the Anchor Pub & Club and Rumrunners, dinner favorites Glacier Brewhouse and Orso, Jade Restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel  and Midnight Sun Café.

Jack Amon, partner in Muse Café and Marx Bros. Café, said he's participating to encourage new people to visit downtown and build loyal customers. Amon said it will be a community-minded competition for all restaurants involved.

"Marx Bros. Café changes its menu daily and Muse Café has daily lunch specials, so we will have a lot to offer our customers during this time," Amon said.

Contact Salena Strate at salena(at)alaskadispatch.com.