After making what the judging committee termed some very “difficult” choices, the winners of the first “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” photo contest have been selected.
The first place photo, showing a dramatic early evening view of the Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium, was taken by Linda Kueck of Raytown. A peaceful solitary blue heron standing in the lake at Waterfall Park, behind the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, took second place honors. The landscape was submitted by Judith Sturgess of Independence. The trails and frontier heritage of Independence was highlighted in a portrait of an empty pioneer covered wagon and rustic water tower at the National Frontier Trails Museum in the third place winning photo, taken by Jeannie Parmon of Independence.
The judging committee, composed of representatives from contest sponsors Independence Tourism and The Examiner, felt there were outstanding photographs which deserved recognition and added two honorable mention awards. A photo of a silhouette statue at the U.N. Peace Plaza, taken by Jeremy Walter of Independence, was awarded an Honorable Mention. The second Honorable Mention photo is a picture of the Joseph Smith statue in the Independence Mormon Visitors Center, as reflected in a mirror. The picture was taken by Randy Johnson, also of Independence.
The photographers of the winning entries will receive cash, gift certificates, merchandise and tickets in prize packages from Independence businesses and tourism attractions. Prizes were contributed by The Examiner, Tourism, Independence Square Association, Pioneer Trails Adventures, Adventure Oasis Family Water Park, Bass Pro Shops, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, National Frontier Trails Museum, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and 1859 Jail and Marshal's Home.
The contest began during National Tourism week in mid-May and ran through Labor Day weekend. Plans are underway for a repeat contest during the 2009 spring/summer tourism season. Tourism Director Stephanie Roush considered the contest, the first of its kind, to be a real success, commenting, “
