Win $1,000.00 in Spanish Village Foundation's Photo Contest

Photographers of all ages are invited to enter the Spanish Village Foundation 3rd Annual Spring Photo contest with a grand prize of $1,000.00.

The entry fee is $10 per photo, with five entries allowed per contestant.  This year’s festival theme is “Sweet Home San Clemente”™.  The deadline to enter the contest is April 6, 2011.

Entry forms are available by emailing info@spanishvillagefoundation.org, or by visiting www.spanishvillagefoundation.org, or by calling (949) 322-6009.  Photographic entries should be emailed to info@spanishvillagefoundation.org.  Entry forms with entry fees should be mailed to Spanish Village Foundation, PO Box 75492, San Clemente, Ca 92673.

The Spanish Village Foundation, a non-profit organization, puts on this annual contest in keeping with its mission to “recognize, celebrate and promote the positive aspects of San Clemente.”

“Last year we had 162 entries, a 60 percent increase from the year before,” said contest chairperson and . 

“This fun event is open to all ages and skill levels,” Cotter said, “and it helps to bring the community together with giant posters around town displaying all the entries.  Then we have an award reception in May to see who won honorable mentions, a ribbon or the grand prize of $1,000.00.  We even have a vote for ‘People’s Choice’ award.”

Winners will be determined by a panel of local news media and photography experts.  Judges will be Norb Garrett, Don Kindred and John Hall.

While the judges will officially choose the Grand Prize, second- and third-place ribbon winners, and as many as eight honorable mention awards–the public will vote on  their “People’s Choice” between May 1 and May 19.

All contest winners, including “People’s Choice” will be unveiled by San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak on May 20, 2011 at an evening reception (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) at Carbonara’s Trattoria at 111 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672 (949) 366-1040.  The public is invited at no charge.

The Spanish Village Foundation was founded in 2008 by Mike Cotter, Raad Ghantous, John Alpay and Candy Haggard.  Inspired by the positive message of then newly appointed Mayor Donchak, the foursome set out to promote optimistic and affirmative aspects found in San Clemente.  For more information about the Spanish Village Foundation, please contact President Mike Cotter at info@spanishvillagefoundation.org, or (949) 322-6009.