By Kate Bartlett
The Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway recently announced their 3rd annual photography contest running through November 30, 2024. The contest is open to everyone, all ages and ability, amateur and professional photographers alike, and aims at capturing the beauty of the Southtowns region.
The contest was developed in 2022 in efforts to help the community appreciate the unique beauty of the southtowns, while promoting the Byway. “We adopted this contest to encourage exploration of the areas along the scenic byway,” explains Bill Even, Byway Vice President. “Our mission is to promote economic development and community pride through thoughtful stewardship of the natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational resources of the byway region. We feel this contest does just that.”
Formed in 2008, the WNY Southtowns Scenic Byway is a series of roads and highways uniting a number of towns and villages in Erie and Cattaraugus Counties into a regional attraction for tourists and residents of the area. The Byway runs from the Town and Village of Orchard Park, Aurora, the Village of East Aurora and then southward through Boston, Colden, Concord, Springville, Ashford, and Ellicottville. Interpretive signs and WNYSSB highway markers can be seen along the routes.
The contest encourages both amateur and professional photographers to get out and capture the beauty of the areas along the byway. Images can be captured on a mobile device or standalone/dedicated camera with prizes for both categories. All ages are encouraged to enter.
For both categories mentioned above, the first-place prize will be $150 cash and a copy of the book Nostalgic Buffalo by William C. Even; the second-place prize will be $100 cash; and the third-place prize will be $50 cash. In addition, contest finalists will once again have their pictures displayed on the silver screens at the Aurora Theater in East Aurora and the Joylan Theater in Springville before movies this holiday season.
Last year, the contest had a record 120 entries with submissions ranging in ages and subject matter. “We’re always impressed at how wonderfully the public captures our region. Every photo submitted is special in its own way,” remarks Bill. “We have an overabundance of photo opportunities along the Byway. We also have an astounding number of truly talented, clever, and creative photographers in our area. I enjoy being one of the first people to see all of these photos together.”
Last year’s winners ranged in subject matter — nature shots, local landmarks, and wildlife. Participants captured the beauty of the seasons in the southtowns and can be viewed online as guidelines and inspiration.
Participants are reminded to check the communities listed, as entries are only valid if taken in these specific areas. “We received so many beautiful photographs that we unfortunately could not use, as they were not in the towns listed,” recalls Bill. He also kindly reminds photographers to name their photos, and limit entries to five total photographs per person. “We don’t have many rules; we try to keep it simple but we do have to stick to the few rules we have.”
For more information, to view photos and enter the contest visit https://wnyssb.org/. Entries are being accepted until November 30th.