The Alleghenies Announces an Outdoor Digital Photo Contest

ALTOONA, Pa., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspiration comes in many shapes and forms; it could be the beauty of a spring runoff traveling through a thicket of mountain laurel, your child enjoying a bike ride on the Ghost Town Trail, or the calming serenity of a sunset overlooking Wolf Rocks. The Alleghenies is pleased to announce an outdoor digital photo contest to highlight the grandeur and beauty of the region while capturing the many memorable moments of life.

The contest, announced today, encourages residents and visitors to submit digital photos capturing their essence of The Alleghenies. Each entrant* may enter one digital image in one of eight categories including: Hiking, Cycling (On- or Off- Road), Birding/Nature Viewing, Fishing, Boating, ATVing, Motor Touring, and Scenic Landscapes.

Those interested in participating in the contest can register and submit their entries online at http://www.thealleghenies.com/. Through the online registration, entrants will also be asked to submit contact information, where the photo was taken and the date it was taken, along with the names of individuals featured in the photo (if applicable).

The contest begins immediately and runs through October 21, 2007. Contest milestones are as follows:

  May 24               Submission of digital photos begins
  October 21           Final day for digital photo submission
  October 29           Judging panel selects 3 finalists in each category
                       Online voting begins
  November 30          Final day for online voting
                       Best of Show (Top 3) determined by top 3 vote getters
  December 10          Announcement of winners

The contest winners will be determined by the online balloting process on the Alleghenies' website. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 vote getters. Each winner will have their photo and the inspiration behind the photo posted on the homepage of The Alleghenies website, in addition to receiving some great prizes (more than $1000 in prizes):

  First Place:        Olympus SP-550 UZ Ultra Zoom (donated by Olympus),
                      trekking poles, hydration pack, and more outdoor gear
                      from nationally recognized brands.
                      (total prize value of more than $600)
  First Runner-up:    Olympus Stylus 770 SW Digital Camera (donated by
                      Olympus), trekking poles, hydration pack, camera
                      tripod, and more outdoor gear from nationally
                      recognized brands.
                      (total prize value of more than $500)
  Second Runner-up:   Trekking poles, hydration pack, camera tripod, and
                      more outdoor gear from nationally recognized brands.
                      (total prize value of more than $100)

The digital photo contest coincides with the online launch of The Alleghenies hiking opportunities. These hikes include after work stress busters, day hikes, and even overnight/weekend backpacking options offering great inspirational opportunities for the digital photo contest.

The Alleghenies and its outdoor recreation experiences have been ranked as some of the best in the country in national lists. For instance, Bicycling magazine rated the region as one of the "Top Five Best Places to Ride in the Country" and Field & Stream named Raystown Lake one of America's 25 Hottest Spots, a testament to The Alleghenies' abundant lakes, not to mention its miles and miles of blue ribbon trout streams.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhance peoples' lives every day. For more information, visit: http://www.olympusamerica.com/

The Alleghenies: The Alleghenies Tourism Council is a partnership of organizations interested in further developing the tourism industry and economic development opportunities in a seven county region in Southcentral Pennsylvania. The Council works under the umbrella of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission, a non-profit economic development agency. For more information on The Alleghenies, call 1-800-458-3433 or visit http://www.thealleghenies.com/.

*All participants under the age of 18 must have an adult submit their photo. All submissions become property of The Alleghenies.