Contest begins on October 28, 2024, at 12:00 am MST and ends on December 13, 2024 at 11:59 am MST.

Photo(s) must be emailed to ecdev@specialareas.ab.ca with PHOTO CONTEST in the subject line, during the contest period. Submissions must identify which category they are being submitted in. Each photo can only be submitted in one (1) category. This is the only accepted method of submission.

o be submitted during the contest period with identifying information (photo title, photographer name, and contact information);
o be an original photo taken by the entrant with the entrant having all necessary rights in and to the photo;
o be of sufficient size 5MB or higher, quality 300 dpi/ppi or higher, and in a .jpeg or .tif format;
o be taken in the Special Areas 2, 3, or 4; MD of Acadia; Hanna, Oyen, Consort, Youngstown, Veteran, or Empress. (Note - all hamlets are considered Special Areas 2, 3, or 4.)
o not contain any reference to or likeness of any identifiable third parties unless consent has been obtained from all such individuals and their parent/legal guardian if they are under the age of majority; and comply with the rules of this Contest.

The Contest is open to all residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence as of the date of entry.

Eligible photos will be put into a Facebook gallery and posted to the Return to Rural Facebook page where individuals can vote on their favorite photo by “liking” the photo.
- The photo with the most “likes” in each category on December 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm will be considered the winning photo. In case of a tie, Special Areas Economic Development will decide.
- There is a limit of one (1) prize per person in this Contest. In the case of an entrant submitting more than one (1) winning photo, the photo in that category with the next highest number of “likes” will be eligible for a contest prize.

By entering the Contest: - you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Special Areas Regional Economic Development which decisions are final, binding, and conclusive; - you represent and warrant that (i) your entry, including any material comprising your entry (e.g. name, user name, profile picture, etc., as applicable) and any material submitted with your entry (e.g. photograph, written submission, or other form of submission, as applicable) (all such material, collectively, the “Entry Material”) is original to you, (ii) you have all necessary rights in and to your Entry Material to enter the Contest, including the consent of any third parties whose personal information is included in your Entry Material, and (iii) your Entry Material does not contain, depict, include or involve content that is, or could reasonably be considered to be, inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, as determined by the Special Areas Board; - you understand and agree that your entry, including your Entry Material, will not be returned to you and may be moderated or edited by the Special Areas Board as it deems appropriate; - you grant to the Special Areas Board the irrevocable right to use your Entry Material in any media worldwide and for any purpose, including the right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works from, your Entry Material without notification, compensation, or additional consideration to you; - you waive all claims of moral rights in any use of your Entry Material by Special Areas Regional Economic Development pursuant to the rights granted in these Official Rules; - you agree that Special Areas Economic Development shall have the right at any time to require proof of identity or eligibility to enter the Contest; failure to provide any such proof upon request may result in disqualification; - you release and forever discharge Special Areas Economic Development and the Special Areas Board and all of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensees, successors, and assigns, as well as any Third Party Services, (collectively, the “Releasees”), and agree to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Releasees, from and against any and all claims, damages or liability, including any costs or losses related to personal injury, death, damage to or loss or destruction of property, arising out of, or in any way related to, (i) your participation in the Contest, (ii) the awarding, receipt, possession, use or misuse of any prize, in whole or in part, or any travel or activity related to any prize, (iii) the use of any Entry Material in accordance with the rights granted in these Official Rules, or (iv) any breach of these Official Rules. - The photo with the most “likes” in each category on December 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm will be considered the winning photo. In case of a tie, Special Areas Economic Development will decide. - There is a limit of one (1) prize per person in this Contest. In the case of an entrant submitting more than one (1) winning photo, the photo in that category with the next highest number of “likes” will be eligible for a contest prize.