Photos Sought for 2010 Capture the Heart of America Photo Contest

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) is currently accepting entries for the 2010 "Capture the Heart of America" Pho­to Contest. The contest seeks to capture the unique culture and heritage of the 37-county Heritage Area through photos in five different categories. The categories include Farm Life, Farmscapes, Festivals & Fairs, Heritage Area Sites and Images of the Past (pre-1950s). This year's overall winner for Best of Show will receive a 20" x 30" museum style gallery wrap print along with a copy of Adobe Photoshop CS5 software, both donated by McKenna Pro of Cedar Falls. Voting for Best of Show will open to the public on www.silosandsmokestacks.org from November 1-7. Prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third places in each category. "We're looking forward to seeing how each photo tells this region's story in its own unique way," commented Don Short, SSNHA President. "Submissions increased dramatically last year, and we're excited to see that happen again." Photo contest entries are due postmarked by October 1, 2010. Guidelines and entry forms are available at www.silosandsmokestacks.org. For additional information, please email photocontest@silosandsmokestacks.org or call 319-234-4567. Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets past and present farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities.