Chris Cannon posted on August 06, 2010 10:03
The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) announced today that Johnny Duke of Rome, Ga. took top honors in the 2010 Rediscover Rome Photo Contest.
Duke’s entry was a striking photo of Porto Futurus during a stunning sunset of blue, purple and pinks. Porto Futurus, often also referred to as the gateway to Rome, is located on the A.W. Ledbetter Interchange and has served as a symbol of the city to visitors and locals alike since 2008.
For his winning entry, Duke will receive a Georgia’s Rome gift basket and dinner for two at Harvest Moon. Additionally, the photo will be published as a post card and used in 2011 advertisements for Rome.
Bekah Cundiff of Lindale won second place with a photo of Historic Downtown Rome from Myrtle Hill. Ben Farham took third place with a unique view of the Clocktower through Japanese Cherry trees that were donated from Rome’s sister city in Japan.
Second and third place winners received a prize package from the Last Stop Gift Shop and dinner for two at Applebee’s or Schroeder's New Deli.
The photo contest took place during the months of June and July and was designed to boost Facebook participation and encourage the community to rediscover their hometown.
With over 1,500 entries from nearly 100 amateur and professional photographers, judges were not short of quality photos. As a result, five additional photographers were recognized for an outstanding submission.
Honorable mention photographers include Bethany Stiefel of Calhoun and Jason Blalock, Richard Dixon, Hannah Lucas, and Vic Tinney, all of Rome. The honorable mention photographs can be viewed on the Georgia’s Rome website and Facebook page.
Judges were Larry Arrington, an admissions representative at Shorter University; Holly Lynch, owner of The Season; Jackie Moreland, owner of Hype Inc.; and Chris McHagge, owner of the Claremont House Bed and Breakfast.
“We had so many great photos. It was really difficult for the judges to narrow it down to the best because there are so many beautiful areas of Rome and Floyd County,” said Chris Cannon, Director of Communication at the GRCVB. A selection of the 200 best entries can be viewed on the Georgia’s Rome Facebook page.
The GRCVB contest was sponsored by GRCVB, Applebee’s, Harvest Moon and Schroeder's New Deli.
