• Each participant may submit as many photos as possible.
• All photos must be taken at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival during the festival from Fri., Aug. 15 through Sun., Aug. 17, 2025.
• Entries must be original and taken by the participant.
• Photographs must be taken and owned by the entrant.
• Entrants retain the copyright to the photos but grant unlimited and non-exclusive rights to the Sun Journal, the City of Lewiston or the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival to use the photo in any manner or format.
• Entries that have been created digitally or heavily edited will be forfeited. The decision of the judges concerning the acceptable amount of digital enhancement is final.
• Any taxes applicable to the prizes are solely the responsibility of the winners.
• LABF contracted photographers are not eligible.
• Digital submissions only. Prints or film submissions will be accepted.
• Photos must be submitted in JPEG format, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• Each photo file must be named with a “dot” between each of the following: the participant’s full name, photo title, photo number and date photo was taken; e.g., JOHN.DOE.SUNRISE.BALLOON.PHOTO8.AUG.16.jpeg

Photos must be submitted via email to LABF@lewistonmaine.gov no later than Tue., Aug. 19, 2025 at 12 noon.

• Entries will be judged by a panel of three local professional photographers.
• Photos will be evaluated based on creativity, originality, composition, and overall impact.
• The decision of the judges is final and binding.

• There will be three prizes.
• The top winner will receive a $500 gift certificate. Second prize is $350 and Third prize is $150.
• The top three photos will be featured on the Sun Journal and Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival’s website, social media channels.
• Winners will be notified via email and announced on the Sun Journal and the festival’s website and social media channels by Thu., Aug. 21, 2025.

• By entering the contest, all participants grant the Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival, the City of Lewiston and the Sun Journal the right to use their submitted photos for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to print, online, and social media, without any compensation and in perpetuity.

• The Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival, the City of Lewiston and the Sun Journal reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with the contest rules or is deemed inappropriate.
• The festival is not responsible for any technical issues or errors in the submission process.
• By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges and festival organizers.