Shoot The Hills

The 11th edition of this Hocking Hills Region spring event was quite the success, with photographers from many states dropping in for the weekend to compete for over $3,000 in cash and other prizes. The competition continues to grow in national stature, and pre-registrations were double the number of 2007. And this year, "Shoppe the Hills" was added to allow artists and other sponsors to show and sell their offerings in the Lodge at Hocking Hills State Park....word is that they all did a nice bit of business through the weekend of April 18-20.

The event is one of the highlight annual fundraisers for the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park, an all-volunteer organization that works to provide funding for various state parks needs and projects (watch for more information about plans for the astronomical observatory....).

The competition rules meeting on Friday morning was standing-room-only, and just about all the chairs were filled for Sunday's awards ceremony in the very-large lower-level meeting room at the Lodge. The Lodge staff also put out a nice spread of goodies for those in attendance, and there wasn't much left to eat at the end! Looks like The Friends will have some additional logistical planning to do for 2009....many more amateur, pro and junior photographers can be expected next year, and Shoppe the Hills is likely to grow as well. By the way, although most folks know the famous Hocking Hills Region is in Hocking County, Shoot the Hills photo entries can be also be taken in Athens, Fairfield and Vinton counties....which underscores how the Hocking Hills has been growing in appeal beyond its traditional boundaries.

The event's official Web site is http://www.shootthehills.com/. Winning photographs will also be displayed in June on Time Warner Cable, by the way....stay tuned for additional information. You can take a peek at some of the event activities in a quick Visual Tour.

©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com