VOTE: Patch's Summer Vacation Photo Contest—Week 1

Sharing snapshots from a recent vacation isn't a new idea. But being rewarded for it is.

Patch has partnered with Caribou Coffee, , Foodies on Foot and  to sweeten the idea of sharing.

On Monday, we asked Patch users to from this summer. After nearly 200 submissions in less than three days, Northfield Patch Editor Corey Butler Jr. and Minnesota Associate Regional Editor Kevira Voegele selected 10 photos as finalists. 

Now we're asking you to leave a comment at the bottom of this page telling us which is your favorite photo (numbered 1-10 above). You surely could just leave the number, but go ahead and tell us why you liked the photo. Be sure to share the page with all your friends to see if you can drum up more support for your favorite snapshot. Voting ends 9 p.m. Sunday.

Then on Monday we'll announce the winner from the first week. He or she will receive a $25 Caribou Coffee gift card. We'll also kick off the second week of nominations on Monday. There were a lot of great photos the first week, so don't be discouraged if you weren't selected and be sure to try again next week because we're having four weekly contests all for $25 Caribou Coffee gift cards.

After the four weeks, the winners face off for seven days of voting. The photo that collects the most comments of support gets the photographer a grand prize getaway to Stillwater valued up to $500 with an overnight stay at Water Street Inn, a Foodies on Foot adventure and a tour at Northern Vineyards Winery.

And, some of the legal details: 

• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
• To enter, upload your summer vacation photos to the “Patch's Summer Vacation Photo Contest“ post on any of the 25 Minnesota Patch sites. Entrants can only submit photos of their own original photos, which must be from this summer. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person. 
• All entries must be received by 9 p.m. CDT Wednesday of the competing week.
• Four weekly winners will receive a $25 gift card to Caribou Coffee.
• One grand prize winner selected from the weekly winners will receive a grand prize valued up to $500. The grand prize includes an overnight stay at Water Street Inn, a Foodies on Foot adventure and a tour at Northern Vineyards Winery, all located in Stillwater. Transportation to/from Stillwater is not included in the prize and will be the responsibility of the winner.

See the attached PDF for complete Official Rules.

Of course, we encourage you to share the link with your friends and family and brag about your great photo. Tell Patch and community members something awesome about your photograph in comments section below.