If you’re the type of person who’s always ready to whip out your wallet or phone to show off the cutest pictures of your grandchildren, now is your time to shine!
Those age 50 and up in Jefferson County, Eureka and Wildwood can now send in entries to the Leader’s annual Show Off Your Grandkids photo contest.
Prizes of $100, $50 and $25 will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively.
Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, charm and technical aspects such as crop, focus and lighting. The quality of the photograph will determine the winners; this is not a beauty contest for children.
Only one entry is permitted per grandchild, great-grandchild or great-great-grandchild. A group photo counts as one entry for each grandchild. Past submitters are welcome, but please send different photographs.
Photos must also have been taken by the grandparent who submits the entry.
Include the following information:
■ Photographer’s name, address and phone number. (Entries missing this information will not be considered for prizes.)
■ The first and last names of children in the photo, the town they are from and how they are related to you.
■ When and where the photo was taken.
■ A brief explanation of why the photograph is special to you.
The deadline to submit pictures is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 14.
Entries can be sent by mail: P.O. Box 159, Festus, MO 63028; brought in person: 503 N. Second St., Festus; or sent by email: news@leaderpublications.biz.
Photos will be returned if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included.
Winning photos will be published in the March 28 Grand Times, which will be inserted inside that week’s Leader. Additional pictures will be printed as space allows.
Photos not published in the paper will be posted to the Leader website, myleaderpaper.com.
Upcoming senior expos
This year, the Show Off Your Grandkids photo contest is held in conjunction with the De Soto Senior Expo.
The Leader puts on several senior expos throughout the year, which include music, bingo, prizes, guest speakers, entertainment and vendors representing local businesses and organizations.
More information will be available in upcoming editions of the Grand Times, which are printed the Thursday before each event.
The following expos are planned from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays around Jefferson County and Eureka:
■ De Soto Senior Expo, April 3, at the De Soto Knights of Columbus.
■ Festus Senior Expo, June 26, at the Festus R-6 Performing Arts Center.
■ West Side Senior Expo, July 24, at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill.
■ Arnold Senior Expo, Aug. 21, at the Arnold Eagles Hall.
■ Eureka Senior Expo, Oct. 16., at the Timbers of Eureka.
Businesses and organizations interested in securing a vendor space for any of these events can contact the Leader at 636-931-7560 or ads@leaderpublications.biz.