They say photography is a story that lacks words; a way of feeling, of connecting, of learning about a moment in time through visual media. Our region is rich in stories, and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) wants to see and share yours in their 8th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest: Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna.

This open and free photo contest that runs through June 30, 2019 seeks to inspire and celebrate the connections that are shared between communities and the Susquehanna River. Photographers of all experience levels are encouraged to enter. Cash Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place winners within each category: River Towns, Landscapes, Susquehanna Adventures, and Bridges.

“The photo contest serves to involve the public in one aspect of SGP’s vision and mission — to inspire people to engage with the outdoors, be it walking, hiking, paddling, biking, or in this case, photography,” says Executive Director Corey Ellison. “It is a unique way to encourage people to get out on the Greenway and explore the Susquehanna through a camera lens.”

In addition to cash prizes, the winning images will also be printed, framed, and added to a traveling photo gallery that exhibits throughout the Susquehanna region within Pennsylvania. In 2018 and 2019 the gallery appeared at a variety of venues including cafés, libraries, wineries, theatres, universities, welcome centers, and even the State Capitol in Harrisburg.

It provides a visual touchpoint for communities to connect to the river and to each other through the presence of this common landscape in the Susquehanna Valley — all thanks to the talented photographers who share their images in SGP’s photo contest.

“The Traveling Gallery is a great way to promote the beauty of the river and the surrounding towns along the river. I have had friends that live in different areas comment on seeing my photos hanging in the gallery,” says previous year winner Rita Kurtz.

Another of the contest’s participants, Mark Nance, had his winning photograph chosen to be featured in an exhibition entitled Show & Tell at the Downtown Gallery in the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Lewisburg. His photograph placed first in the River Towns category of SGP’s 6th Annual Photo Contest and depicts stunt planes flying over the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Williamsport during the annual hot air balloon festival in Lycoming County. The photo will be on display at the Downtown Gallery from June 4 – October 13, 2019.

This summer, the traveling photo gallery will be exhibiting at several waypoints along the river, including Avenue 209 Coffeehouse in Lock Haven for the month of June, Columbia Crossing River Trails Center in Columbia for July, and Old Forge Brewing Company in Danville for August.

The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2019. Those interested in participating can visit susquehannagreenway.org/photocontest to learn more and submit photographs in one or all four categories. Entries must be submitted electronically through the SGP portal and in accordance with contest guidelines. The SGP does not sell nor distribute entries; all copyrights remain with photographers.

The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River. The mission of the Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore.