Show How Much You Love 'Classic Manayunk'

With its rich architectural history and scenic landscapes, Manayunk is certainly photogenic. And starting Monday, residents can show off Main Street photos in a picture contest from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

A part of the commission's classic towns campaign, the contest allows amateur and professional photographers to vie for best photo in one of the 20 designated classic towns.

“This is a fun opportunity to show why we love our Classic Towns,” DVRPC Executive Director Barry Seymour said in a news release. “Our goal is to help spread the love for Classic Towns so people embrace them as great places to live, work, and play.” 

The contest, called "I Love Classic Towns," is broken down into seven different categories: community, local history, main street, parks and recreation, people, residential and seasonal.

The group plans to award $100 for the top image in each category. A $500 judge’s choice prize and $300 voter’s choice prize will also be awarded. Winning photographs will hit the road as part of an exhibit starting in Philadelphia and continuing to the Classic Towns. 

Since classic towns designation was founded in 2004, the planning commission has named 20 such communities. In addition to Manayunk, these towns in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are "classic"—Ambler, Ardmore, Bordentown City, Bristol Borough, Collingswood, Germantown, Glassboro, Haddon Heights, Kennett Square, Lansdale, Lansdowne, Media, Merchantville, Moorestown, New Hope, Overbrook Farms, Phoenixville, Souderton/Telford, and West Chester. 

Contest rules call for photos taken on or after Jan. 1, 2010. People may submit through April 14, 2012. From there, online voting will take place from April 15 to May 14. Winners should be announced by July 31.

For complete submission requirements and contest rules, visit the Classic Towns website at www.classictowns.org.

Feel free to post great Manayunk photos here, too.