Winter, Hope or Both: Vote for Your Favorite

CLEARWATER, FL — The folks at Clearwater Marine Aquarium are in a bind they’re hoping Tampa Bay residents will be able to help them out of. It seems production of the organization’s 2017 calendar is under way, but staff members just can’t decide on the photo to grace its cover.

With three serious contenders under consideration, the aquarium is asking fans to vote for their favorite picture in an online contest. Preorders of the 2017 calendar, which will feature photos of the aquarium’s most popular residents, are also being accepted.

The three photos in the running for the cover are:

• A solo shot of Winter, the dolphin made famous in the “Dolphin Tale” movies
• A solo shot of Hope, Winter’s companion who was featured in “Dolphin Tale 2,” hamming it up for the camera by swimming upside down
• A shot of the two best friends swimming together

Voting for the cover in the 2017 Calendar Contest is taking place online. The winner will be announced on Sept. 1. The calendars are expected to be ready for shipping in October. Supporters of the aquarium and animal lovers can also reserve their calendar copies online by making a $20 donation to the aquarium after voting.

The aquarium’s art department has been creating annual calendars for the past five years, Becca Romzek said. This is the first time, however, that fans will get to choose the cover shot. The calendar project is a fundraiser for the nonprofit aquarium, which also serves as a rescue for sea turtles and other aquatic life.

“The proceeds from calendar sales will support our animal care fund, which benefits our residents, supports our animal rescue team, and off-sets growing rehabilitation costs,” Romzek said.

To vote for your favorite photo or make a donation to secure a copy of a calendar, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium online.

Which shot is your favorite? Tell us by commenting below!

Photos courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium