When you think about Maple Grove, what picture comes to mind? Here’s your chance to show off your creative side to the entire community and win a cash prize for demonstrating your artistic skill. Sponsored by Prime Advertising & Design, the 2010 Maple Grove Moments photography contest is a great way to show how special our city is.

We encourage everyone who either lives or works in Maple Grove to get involved, regardless of your training or photographic experience. Photos must have been taken in Maple Grove in 2006 or later and can feature any part of the community in one of the four seasons.

Submit your favorite photos in the following categories:

* Great People (people talking, working, learning, playing, living, volunteering—e.g., kids in the backyard, birthday parties, shopping, eating out, working in the garden, students getting on the school bus, neighbors talking in front of their home).

* Great Community (events/activities—sports, community celebrations, plays—e.g. National Night Out block parties, Maple Grove Days events, farmers market, concerts, baseball/soccer game).

* Great Outdoors (parks, landscapes, plants, animals, sunsets, weather).

Photos received by April 30, 2010 will be reviewed, and there will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize awarded in each of the three categories. First-prize winners will receive $100 each, 2nd place $50 each, and 3rd Place $25 each. Winners in each category will receive their prize and certificate of appreciation at a Maple Grove City Council meeting.

Winning entries will be published in the Summer 2010 City of Maple Grove newsletter (designed and published by Prime) – all photos submitted also will be online at www.myprimeguide.com. In addition, as many submissions as possible will be displayed at the Government Center for public viewing Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from early April through May.

The City of Maple Grove is proud to partner with Prime in sponsoring the contest. Photos submitted may be used on city websites as well as in area-wide publications such as city newsletters, Parks and Recreation brochures, and Prime’s Official Community Resource & Residents’ Guide among others.

Please share your photographic skills and snapshots of your community! For detailed rules, entry form, and additional information visit the City of Maple Grove website, call 763-494-6002, or pick up a photography contest packet at the Maple Grove Government Center, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway.

Keep in mind, when the contest is over, the city is still looking for good Maple Grove photos for use in city publications, on the city website, and in other promotional items. If you would like to donate the type of photos outlined above to be used for City of Maple Grove publicity purposes, you may submit them to admindept@ci.maple-grove.mn.us. Your contributions are appreciated!