C'mon, Get Happy!

Are you the kind of person who smiles all the time? A Happy Holly who knows how to look on the bright side of things? A Joyful Janet who is always telling her Debbie Downer friends to cheer up?

If so, Star-Telegram.com and DFW.com invite you to enter the “Get Happy” sweepstakes, sponsored by the new Miramax film Happy-Go-Lucky, in theaters locally on October 31.

To enter, send us a brief essay, in 150 words or less, telling us about the person, place or thing in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex that makes you the happiest. Be creative. Be upbeat (remember, these are tough times, and we could all use a good laugh). Above all, be happy.

The essay that makes brings the biggest smile to our judges’ faces will receive a prize package that includes a $300 American Express gift card, a copy of Happiness for Dummies, a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and an official movie poster from Happy-Go-Lucky.

Two runners-up will also be chosen. Second place will receive a $100 iTunes gift card. Third place will receive $50 Fandango bucks.

To enter, please e-mail your entries to john.metz@dfw.com by 5 p.m. Nov. 11. Make sure to put the words "Get Happy" in the subject line. Please include your name, address and phone number in the body of the e-mail. Winners will be announced in the paper and online on Nov. 14.

All entries must be the work of the entrant. One entry per person, please. Employees of The McClatchy Company are not eligible to enter. The winners must be able to pick up prizes from our downtown office. The winner must live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.