ANNUAL FOTO FEST CONTEST HAS BEGUN

It might be more difficult than expected for the judges who have to select winners in the Foto Fest amateur photography contest, one organizer says.

"The entries are pouring in and they are delightful," said Joyce Hunter, marketing director at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, a contest sponsor.

Other sponsors for Foto Fest are the Southeast Missourian, Schnuck's, Albertson's, St. Francis Medical Center, Mac's Smokehouse and the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

The contest is now accepting entries for the first week of judging. All photos must be entered by 5 p.m. July 6. The contest ends Aug. 10. Winners will be announced each Wednesday in the Southeast Missourian.

Entry forms are available at drop-off locations at the Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., the Scott County Signal in Chaffee, Mo., and the Banner Press in Marble Hill, Mo., and at the Westfield Shoppingtown customer service center.

"The best strategy is to enter several times during the six week contest," Hunter said, adding that each week is like a separate contest.

Participants can enter as often as they like, she said. But the photos cannot have been entered in a previous year's contest.

There is no requirement on size or type or number photographs that can be entered. Digital prints and color copies of photographs are acceptable and the film doesn't have to be processed on any particular kind of paper. However, photos entered in the contest cannot be returned.

Entries will be displayed at the shopping mall, and a People's Choice winner will be chosen at the conclusion of Foto Fest. Weekly winners receive a $10 Shoppingtown gift certificate and certificate of recognition. Finalists will receive a 13-week subscription to the newspaper, a comic umbrella and a framed 8-by-10 copy of their winning photo. Grand prize winners will receive a year's newspaper subscription, overnight hotel accommodations and a $50 shoppingtown gift certificate.

The contest is open to residents of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Entries can also be mailed to Foto Fest 2001; c/o Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, 134 West Park Mall; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

WATN TO ENTER?

Forms are at drop-off points at the Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., the Scott County Signal in Chaffee, Mo., and the Banner Press in Marble Hill, Mo., and at the Westfield Shoppingtown customer service center.