Alton, Mo. – Saturday, October 5, 2024, was the big date- the 39th Annual Black and Gold Walnut Festival. With that came several contests. The chamber hosted the pumpkin carving, Walnut Idol, woodworking, and baking contests. AltonMo.com held its first Photo Contest.
Not knowing what to expect, the staff at AltonMo.com were pleased when participants brought their best of the best photographs for judging. Varying sizes did not matter to the judges. But beautiful portraits of real-life people caught everyone’s attention.
While amateur photographers admired the entries, passers-by stopped to look and smile.
Categories
There were three categories: people, animals, and nature/places. The entry photographs were evenly distributed among the three categories.
Voting
Family, friends, and participants could vote on their favorites by buying a $1 ticket and placing it by the picture they chose. The photo with the most tickets won. All proceeds go to the Alton Oregon County Food Pantry.
Winners
Phoenyx Cross won first place in all three categories! Congratulations! She took home ribbons and prizes from Court Square Cafe, Pennylane Accounting, and CampRiver Campground. Rachel McFann, Amanda Thomas, and Lucinda were also winners. They took home ribbons, picture frames, colored rocks, a Harp’s gift card submitted by Bizstax, and a throw-away camera.
Lilian Smith won the voter drawing rocking chair donated by Simpson’s True Value. She commented how happy she was to be able to sit with her grandfather, Denford Smith.
Congratulations to all our winners and contestants!
Many people commented on the photos on the wall, hoping we would have another photo contest next year.
