Manalapan to conduct photo contest

MANALAPAN — The township of Manalapan will hold its second annual photo contest. The theme of the 2010 photo contest is “Furs, Feathers and Fins” – a contest of pictures of animal life.

Last year’s inaugural contest which had a theme of “An Appreciation of Where I Live” drew 58 entries, according to a press release from the township.

The contest is open to all Manalapan residents, but photographs entered in the contest do not need to be taken in Manalapan. The photograph could be of any animal – mammal, bird, fish or insect.

“We encourage all Manalapan residents to consider submitting a photo. Whether it is of a family pet, a picture from a trip to a zoo, a surprising find in a backyard or park, or a photograph from a trip, all photos are welcome. I am sure this year’s judges will have difficult decisions to make,” Mayor Andrew Lucas said.

“I am appreciative of the Manalapan Arts Council assuming the stewardship of the contest this year. I still look at the photos from the 2009 contest which are displayed in our meeting room and am so impressed with the talents of this community,” he added.

Manalapan residents can only enter one photo. Photographs must include a brief description (25 words or less) and the location/ event depicted om the photo. Awards will be given in the following categories: under 12 years old; 12-17 years old; and adult (18 and over).

All of the photographs that are entered in the contest will be on display at the Manalapan Under the Stars community event on June 12, where a special “People’s Choice” award will be given to the photograph that garners the most votes that day from the visiting and judging public.

Photographs must be received by 4:30 p.m. May 14. Photographs can be submitted by email to photocontest@mtnj.org (file must be less than 1.5 mb) or dropped off at the Manalapan Health Department (photographic prints must not be larger than 5x7”).

The full set of rules and the submission form are available online at the township website – www.mtnj.org – or at the ManalapanAdministration Office or Health Department in town hall.

Remember that a submission form must accompany the photograph. Forms are also available on the township website or at the Manalapan Administration Office or Health Department.

For more information please contact Susan Lapkin in the Administration Office at 732-446-8303 or David Richardson in the Health Department at 732-446-8345.