Think you're good at making an educated guess? Are you a whiz with statistical forecasting?

Have a gut feeling of when the 45-millionth person might arrive at the Space Needle?

If you're that visitor, you might win a five-day trip to Paris as the guest of Space Needle officials.

Space Needle President Dean Nelson announced Thursday that the Seattle icon is sponsoring a "45X45" contest to celebrate its 45th anniversary this year.

The Space Needle opened on April 21, 1962 as part of the World's Fair. As of Wednesday, the Space Needle had 44,813,534 visitors, Nelson said.

The person to tip that counter to 45 million is expected to arrive in April or May, he said.

The Space Needle also is accepting guesses as to when that person might arrive. The winner of this contest will get a special party, Nelson said.

But figuring the date and time might be challenging. "That's the fun of it," he said.

During the off-season, the Space Needle only sees a few hundred daily visitors, Nelson said.

But from June to August, as many as 7,000 visitors make their way each day to the Seattle Center.

The trip to Paris will cover airfare and hotel lodging for the special visitor and a guest.

It also will cover a trip to the Eiffel Tower, a dinner at the tower's Jules Verne Restaurant and a city tour.

One reason officials picked Paris, he said, is because that tower is famous in the City of Light in the same way that the Space Needle is well known in the Emerald City.

Guesses, which will be limited to one per person, can be submitted at the Space Needle or at its Web site.

For more information, visit www.spaceneedle.com. Information about the contest is expected to be available at www.spaceneedle.com/events/number45million.asp.

So, think you know Space Needle history? Here are some facts officials released to celebrate the icon's 45th anniversary this April.

The elevators have made 5.5 million trips to its observation decks since 1962.

Omega Graphics is responsible for painting the Space Needle's roof. Over the years, paintings have included: The U.S. flag, the Wheel of Fortune logo, the word "MetroNatural," the Washington State University Cougar logo and the Mariners logo.

Notable visitors include: John Travolta, Diddy, Michael Douglas and Bill Gates.

Source: Space Needle officials

To read a profile of a Space Needle elevator operator, visit

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/290697_elevator01.html

Soundoff (Read 3 comments)
What do you think?