Lewes Tulip Festival photo contest awards presentation set April 14

The Lewes Tulip Festival, sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Lewes Historical Society, Lewes in Bloom, City of Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission, the Zwaanendael Museum and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, will include a photography contest as part of the event to be held Thursday to Saturday, April 12 to 14. The Tulip Festival celebrates Lewes’ Dutch heritage and incorporates the Lewes Historical Society’s third Preservation Awards.

The photography contest links the two components of the festival with judging in six categories - Lewes Architecture, Lewes Landscapes, Quintessential Lewes (iconic image that could only be in Lewes, i.e. Doo Dah Parade), Tulips, Lewes Food and one new category, Lewes Pets. All the images have to be photographed in the Lewes geographic area.

The contest is open to photographers of all abilities and ages.

Submission requirements: Each photograph is to be matted, and both the photograph and the mat need to be securely attached to a piece of mounting or backing board. Framing is not permitted. The total dimension of the photograph, mat and the backing board should not exceed 16-by-20-inches. Entry forms will be completed by the entrants when the submissions are delivered to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the Fisher-Martin House at 120 Kings Highway, behind the Zwaanendael Museum.

The cost to enter the contest is $5 per submission, and a maximum of five entries per photographer is permitted. The entries will be judged by professional photographers who are Lewes Chamber of Commerce members. A People’s Choice Award also will be selected from ballots submitted by visitors who attend the three-day exhibit in Zwaanendael Park April 12, 13 and 14. Monetary awards will be made for first, second and third place in each of the six subject categories. The grand prize is a $100 cash award.

Entries are being accepted as of Thursday, March 1, and extend through Monday, March 26, at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. The visitor center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Participants will be asked to sign a photo release form at the time of registration. Photos may be used in future publicity and/or appear in the publications of the sponsoring organizations. Payment must be included with the submitted photos. Make checks payable to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

Awards will be presented Saturday, April 14. Following the exhibit, submitted entries can be picked up at the chamber’s visitor center beginning Monday, April 16 and should be picked up no later than Monday, April 30. Those entries not retrieved by Wednesday, May 2, will become the property of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. The chamber assumes no liability for lost or damaged photos during the exhibit.

For more information about the contest or the festival, contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.