Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Photo Contest celebrates winners

CANYON - Sad Monkey Mercantile hosted the Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Photo Contest Saturday, featuring the work of area photographers highlighting the beauty of the state park. 

Eddie Tubbs, president of the foundation, spoke about the contest and its aims in promoting the canyon. 

“We are here to promote and educate people on the Palo Duro Canyon State Park,” Tubbs said. “All the funds that we raise are put back into the park. We support the trail and rescue teams in the park.” 

He said that one of the major endeavors that his organization has is to purchase trail gates to close dangerous trails when it is too hot or impassable due to weather conditions. Currently, they are working on a playscape for children in the park. 

“We really appreciate Sad Monkey Mercantile for their support of the park and their work to promote it,” Tubbs said. “In the past, the park sponsored a photo contest to show off the park's beauty and to promote visitors to explore the park.” 

Tubbs said that 85 people entered the contests in the four categories, with the public coming in to vote for the winners. 

Winners for the photo contest 

Plants: 

1st - Linda Drake (bee on flower) 

2nd - Ashley Campbell (three purple flowers) 

3rd - Janice Allen (cactus) 

Landscape: 

1st - Reynold Brookens (blue sky over the canyon) 

2nd - Mike Inman (lightning storm) 

3rd - Stephen Anderson (cave shot) 

Wildlife: 

1st - Vicki Walmarth (cardinal in water) 

2nd -Vicki Walmarth (owl) 

3rd - Ashley Campbell (horned lizard) 

People: 

1st - Stacy Wilson (holding hands) 

2nd - D'Lynn St. John (playing in water) 

3rd - Terry Brandt (violin) 

Best In Show:  

Charles Knowles (lighthouse view) 

To find out more about Partners in Palo Duro go to https://palodurocanyon.com/volunteer/