CONCORD — The State House Plaza had a gameday atmosphere Friday, with footballs, Frisbees, cheerleaders, a radio station and about 100 football fans who came to see New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft unveil the New Hampshire Lottery's first Patriots Instant ticket.

Kraft said one reason the Patriots were willing to team up with the lottery was because proceeds support education.

“The money that has been raised for New Hampshire education through the lottery is incredible,” he said. “We hope this new lottery ticket will be another fun and exciting way to engage with our fans year round, while continuing to generate more revenue for education.”

Kraft joined Gov. John Lynch and lottery executive director Charlie McIntyre in kicking off the new program. Kraft also brought two cheerleaders, Patriots mascot Pat Patriot and team Hall-of-Famer Steve Nelson.

Lynch praised Kraft for his community involvement and concern for people, and for purchasing the team when it was about to be moved out of New England.

“The people of New Hampshire love their Patriots,” said Lynch, who noted he watched the Patriots play in Fenway Park when Babe Parilli was the quarterback. “I hope you all go out and buy as many lottery tickets as you possibly can.”

The $5 Patriots Instant ticket offers a top prize of $50,000 and went on sale Friday. Second-chance drawings, where non-winning tickets are eligible for other prizes, will be held to win tickets to Patriots games. The grand prize is 2013 season tickets, including a potential playoff game at Gillette Stadium.

One million Patriots Instant tickets will be sold, and Kraft urged Nelson and others to help push sales so the series will be sold out by Christmas. Lottery officials predict it will be sold out by February.

“We have high hopes for this one,” McIntyre said, noting lottery sales are the strongest they have been in four years with revenues up over 14 percent this year.

Lynch and McIntyre both noted they were big fans of Nelson, who led the Patriots defense in the team's first Super Bowl appearance in 1986 against the Chicago Bears.

Nelson noted the Patriots had a 3-0 led early in the game, but lost 46-10. It was the Bears' greatest comeback, he said. “The Bears were down by three points and came back in the next 58 minutes to score 46 points and beat us.”

Kraft noted he promised to take the Super Bowl trophy to every New England state if the team won and he kept his promise.

“We've have not been here for a while, but I hope we're here a few times more this decade,” Kraft said as the crowd loaded with football fans cheered. “People from New England are different. People from New England are loyal and they are supportive. The Patriot love our fans in New Hampshire and we thank you for your support.”

Lynch declared Friday New England Patriots Day.

After the press conference, the governor, Kraft, Nelson, Pat Patriot and the two cheerleaders signed mini New Hampshire Megabucks footballs. The line was longest for the cheerleaders and the mascot.

grayno@unionleader.com