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Summer Photo Contests in Canada

This summer there are dozens of photo contests throughout Canada and the World. Our selections emphasize contests that are free for entry, have judging and not online votes as as the final arbitrer, and have some prizes for the winners. In addition, all of the contests post the winning photos [ and most post the top ten photos entered].

But most notable this year are contests specifically for kids. The Long Lunch Photo Contest has one prize devoted to youth between the ages of 10 nd 20 inclusive. And National Geographic has a contest which is for kids between the ages of 6 and 14 inclusive. So kids as photographers are being encouraged. finally, most of the contests allow for image editing using popular photo editing tools.

Summer 2011 Photo Contests – Ontario, Canada and Worldwide
Click here to get full info on contest details and prizes
Fireplaces and Furnaces Sponsor – Zone Life Furnaces Task: Indoor photography – show us a cozy scene using a fireplace or furnace	Toronto Tourist Attractions Sponsor – Boatel Task: Toronto sightseeing—submit the type of photo you’d like to see in a travel publication
Hair Style Sponsor – Donna Dolphy Task: Capture a beautiful, unique or iconic hairstyle and the main focus of your photograph.	Objects in Motion Sponsor – Allegro Freight Task: Capture an object (or person or animal) in motion; be sure your photograph illustrates which direction the movement is heading.
CBC Community Photo Contest – August Here are the general rules for the CBC photo contest:  This month we want to see faces. Whether it’s a grandparent, a newborn, or a stranger on the street, CBC Community is looking for your best photographic portraits. They could be candid or carefully set up, but what we’re really looking for is expression and emotion. It’s up to you, the photographer, to capture your subject’s character for the world to see. Visit the CBC here for all the contest details
	National Geographic International Kids ContestKids from 1 to 14 years of age are eligible with their parents permission. The photos can be entered in 4 categories – humor, people, scenery, animals. The prizes include a trip to Costa Rica or Washington DC.See here for the photo contest details.

One of the attractions of the Apple Blossom Festival in Colborne ON is the reappearance like flower blossoms of the classic cars and trucks at the various Shows and Festivals throughout Ontario. And hidden in the valleys, farmyards, and cottages of South Eastern Ontario are some real beauties. Here is a favorite a look back to foggy memories of my Dad’s 1950′s era Mercury sedan. It is truly a foggy memory because this classic has been prepped and primed with a lot of “beauty touches”:

Ahh the smooth moving Mercury

Here is the full range of cars and trucks, quite a lot of the latter, to be seen at the Apple Blossom Tyme Festival:

Ye editor, did not see the announcement of the Winners in the Show, so you will have to be contented with my own personal favorite:

Now ye Editor can just imagine himself percolating down the street in this very fine Yellow Chevy Pickup…..

Blooms mean spring and Eastern Ontario’s Lilac Festival is a celebration of the Blooms of Spring. And if you missed the Lilac festival, the upcoming Apple Blossom Tyme Festival in Coborne is more than worthy as  a Spring time outing of family fun and shopping for Antiques, Art, or just kids fun. And the flower blossoms, despite the cool and rainy weather, were finally out in full tulipean and daffodillian force.

But along with the Spring blooms the city is ready. The houses have been spruced up, the trees trimmed, the kids playing summer sports and the flowers as noted – finally blooming.

The Warkworth Lilac Festival has two nifty ideas. First, celebrate Spring with the appearance of the Lilac blooms – especially on a wonderful creek side trail that wanders for 2 kms along the winding  river path and is planted with over 3 dozen  beds replete with various Lilac bushes. Second,  along that trail have several events including an flower walk +talk plus an  eventide song chorus.  The Millenium Lilac Trail is a wonderful walk in the park at all times of the year; but especially in the Spring.

But the Lilac Festival celebrates more than Spring. There is a gardening show with a talk by Mark Cullen and fun for the kids with Buskers and a BMX demonstartion. But ye Editors personal favorite is the Art Show upstream in the riverside park along Main street. Local artist have their works on display including some great wood craft.

Hamilton Woodworks provides some smooth wood lathings
This year the art works were quite provocative with a few rather colorful stylings to say the least:

Bikes and Cars on Show

Fascination with motorbikes and classic cars runs pretty strongly in ye Editor’s family. And based on the turnout of Bikers and Classic car admirers, the Lilac Festival tapped into a fairly broad interest. The Classic Cars at the fairgrounds had a fifties turn that reminded one of a first car that rode like a smoothee and should never have been sold. And the bikers turned out on Main street with the Durham Divas, a womanly woman group of very genial bikers riding some very fine cycles. And the slide show below has proof positive of the cycle of classic  delights to be found at the Festival.

Summary

The Lilac Festival has a very accessible mix of kids fun and adult gardening and art crafts to serve the Victoria Day weekend well. Locals got to discover a wonderful walk/running trail riverside while visitors found a number of delights including the warm sunshine,  flowers in bloom, special events, plus  crafts for sale both at the Art Show and Warkworth’s downtown shops to make for an engrossing days outing.