Pocono Mountains, PA (PRWEB) September 17, 2013 -- Photographers and smartphone camera users alike would agree that fall in the Pocono Mountains (PoconoMountains.com) is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit. The landscape, ablaze with brilliant fall foliage, provides gorgeous photo opportunities at every angle. To capture the stunning photography taken this time of year, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) has launched a fall campaign, encouraging Instagram users to "Take ON Pocono" in a contest hosted on the social media platform. Instagram users who tag #TakeONPocono in their Pocono photos have the chance to win weekly prizes and a grand prize getaway to the region.
"The contest allows users to showcase their 'take' on the Pocono Mountains. Whether they enjoy relaxing by a lake, biking with their family, soaring down a zipline through the trees or sampling the local harvests, the photos will represent each user's unique experience, with an artistic flair," said Alicia Quinn, director of public relations and communications for the PMVB.
Having recently launched, the contest hashtag has already become popular on Instagram, having been used in nearly 1,000 Pocono Mountains photos. To enter, Instagram users must take a photo in the Pocono Mountains, upload it to Instagram and tag it with #TakeONPocono. Once a photo has been tagged, the user will receive a comment to their post asking them to claim their photo in order to be entered in the contest. Weekly winners, selected by the PMVB based on the criteria of creativity, originality and the photo's aesthetic and graphic value, win Pocono Mountains swag. The grand prize winner will be judged on the same criteria and will win a two-night stay for four at a Fernwood Resort Villa.
In addition to content received by visitors to the region this fall, the PMVB will host a familiarization tour in the beginning of October for Instagram users within the Mid-Atlantic, to increase the virality of the contest hashtag and add content from users with unique style.
Through the end of the contest on October 31, 2013, the PMVB hopes to see a variety of photo submissions from throughout the region highlighting the stunning fall foliage, as well as images featuring outdoor activity, the harvest scene and fall happenings. Special fall offers are available for leaf peepers at 800poconos.com/fallfun, but if you're unable to visit this season, users are welcome to share their images from previous visits to the region in order to enter to win.
To promote the use of the hashtag throughout the region, the PMVB took to the region's most visited attractions, lodging facilities, state and national parks and downtown areas, displaying lawn signs, table tents, posters and street banners. Favorite photos submitted from each week will be added to a Facebook album, to further promote the contest to the PMVB's fan base.
To learn more about the #TakeONPocono Instagram contest, and to view the photo gallery, visit the official contest page at takeonpocono.800poconos.com. To plan your visit to the region and capture your #TakeONPocono, check the fall foliage forecast updated every Thursday at 800pocono.com/fallfoliageforecast for information on when to expect peak fall colors. Follow the PMVB on Instagram @PoconoTourism.
About the Pocono Mountains
With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania’s Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers. Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 30 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks.
Any time of year is a good time to visit the Pocono Mountains, located within driving distance of most major East Coast cities. This region teeming with history offers year-round cultural tours and art exhibitions, abundant antiquing and brand-name shopping and a full calendar of festivals showcasing the heritage, music and food of the Pocono Mountains.
Even the most discerning traveler will find comfortable accommodations in the Pocono Mountains, which offers an eclectic mix of resorts, distinctive properties and quaint, country inns and bed and breakfasts.
Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). Follow @PoconoTourism on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, membership organization. The Pocono
Alicia Quinn, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, 570-421-5791, [email protected]
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