Unfortunately, good news is harder for the news media to tell/sell than bad news.  Consequently, you will have a better chance of having your story/event/whatever being covered if you present the news media with the information they need - in a way that helps them justify covering your story.  So it boils down to this, does your story have sufficiently broad appeal to a wide audience?  If not, it probably won't get any air time.

1. Give a brief description of the event, and where and when it will be held.

2. Make a list of all the possible angles for the story. Keep in mind that it must appeal to a wide audience.

3. Make a list of all the "teasers" that could be used to hook the interest of the audience.

4. Make a list of resource people that can be interviewed for the story.  Of course, you do want to discuss it with them in advance.

5. Include phone numbers for these resource people and when they are available for interviews.

6. Train your resource people to speak in "sound bites."  A news story cannot possibly get into all of the detail of the story.  But with preparation, the interesting aspects need to be summarized in sound bites rather than long winded narrative.

7. Video pictures are important. If you have video tape of a previous year it will help - or you should find a way to "paint a picture" that they can show.

Once you have compiled this information, it needs to be faxed or mailed to each local TV station. You should be able to get the phone numbers by calling each TV station and asking for the local news department - then ask for the "assignment editor" or "planner". Be sure to tell them it is a story for the "future" (not day of) and be sure to give them at least two week's advance notice.