Official Rules

Entry & Prizes

• There is no cost to enter this contest.
• Prizes will be awarded as follows:
  1st place: $50
  2nd place: $25
  3rd place: $15
• Winning photos may be featured on the State Line Heritage Days website and/or used for festival promotional purposes.

Registration & Submission

• All photo entries must be submitted by email to aarcarstdepot@gmail.com.
• Entries must be received no later than Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
• No late entries will be accepted.
• Each email submission should include:
  • Photographer’s name.
  • Phone number.
  • Email address.
  • Photo title or brief description, if available.
  • Location or event shown in the photo, if known.

Eligibility

• This contest is open to anyone who would like to participate.
• Photos may be taken by a camera, phone, or other digital device.
• Each submitted photo must be the original work of the person entering the contest.
• Photos should be taken during State Line Heritage Days and should highlight the festival, including events, activities, people, decorations, parade moments, Artisan Park, entertainment, or other festival scenes.
• Minors may enter with permission from a parent or guardian.
• Contestants must follow all State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations.

Contest Format

• Contestants may submit their best festival photos by email before the deadline.
• Photos should celebrate the energy, creativity, community, and memories of State Line Heritage Days.
• The contest will be canceled if fewer than four entries are received by the submission deadline.
• Winners will be announced during intermission at the Main Stage before The Bulldogs take the spotlight.
• Winners should be present for the announcement if possible.

Contest-Specific Rules

• Photos must be appropriate for public display and family-friendly use.
• Photos should not include offensive, unsafe, or inappropriate content.
• Photos may be submitted in color or black and white.
• Light editing, such as cropping, brightness, contrast, and color correction, is allowed.
• Photos should not be heavily altered in a way that misrepresents the festival scene.
• By submitting a photo, the entrant gives the State Line Heritage Days Committee permission to use the submitted image for festival promotion, including the website, social media, printed materials, and future event publicity.
• Submission of a photo does not guarantee that it will be displayed, published, or awarded a prize.

Judging & Winner Determination

• Winners will be selected by contest judges or State Line Heritage Days contest officials.
• Photos may be judged based on creativity, photo quality, festival spirit, composition, and overall impact.
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be chosen from all eligible entries.
• Judges’ decisions are final.
• In the event of a tie, contest officials will determine the tie-breaker method.

Safety & Conduct

• Photographers must follow all festival rules and posted safety instructions while taking photos.
• Photographers may not block walkways, interfere with festival activities, enter restricted areas, or disrupt performers, vendors, parade participants, volunteers, or guests.
• Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward officials, volunteers, spectators, contestants, performers, and other festival guests.

Disqualification

• Entries may be disqualified for being submitted after the deadline.
• Entries may be disqualified for missing required contact information.
• Entries may be disqualified if the photo was not taken by the person submitting it.
• Entries may be disqualified for inappropriate content, unsafe conduct while taking the photo, or failure to follow contest instructions.
• Tampering with the judging process or submitting false information may result in disqualification.

General Rules

• All entries are subject to the State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations.
• State Line Heritage Days reserves the right to clarify rules, adjust procedures, or make final decisions as needed for safety, fairness, or event operations.
• Contest officials have final authority during the event.