• Article Photo. Earl Rinderknecht of Vinton won first place in Professional category with this photo.
    Earl Rinderknecht of Vinton won first place in Professional category with this photo.
  • Article Photo. Mike Kelly, second place, professional.
    Mike Kelly, second place, professional.
  • Article Photo. Samuel Becker of Blairstown won 1st & 2nd place in youth category.
    Samuel Becker of Blairstown won 1st & 2nd place in youth category.
  • Article Photo. This photo by Samuel Becker won first place in the youth category.
    This photo by Samuel Becker won first place in the youth category.
  • Article Photo. Mindy Gaffney of Vinton won second place in the adult category.
    Mindy Gaffney of Vinton won second place in the adult category.
  • Article Photo. Dwayne Collingwood won first place in adult category.
    Dwayne Collingwood won first place in adult category.
 “Whether we’re trying to attract businesses, residents, or tourists; a picture of Benton County best conveys who and what we are,” said Benton Development Group Executive Director Ranae Becker.  “Benton Development Group wants to thank all of those who submitted the wonderful Benton County photos; 49 total this year.”
 
The photos where voted on at the Benton County Fair, on-line at www.bentoncountyiowa.com, and at the Fifth Street Koffee Haus the day of the announcement;  there were approximately 150 voters.

There were two winners in each of the following three categories:  

(you can find winning photos on website (www.bentoncountyiowa.com)

Adult                         

1st  place($50) = Dwayne Collingwood of Urbana --- #36 adult ***2nd place($25) = Mindy Gaffneyof Vinton --- #2 adult ***               

Professional         

1st  place($50) = Earl Rinderknecht of Urbana --- #12 professional ***

2nd place($25) = Mike Kelly of Vinton --- #42 professional ***             

Youth (under 18)      

1st ($50) and 2nd place($25)  = Samuel Becker of Blairstown --- #23 & #22 youth ***              

The winning photos will be featured on the www.bentoncountyiowa.comwebsite and a photo gallery is being created of all submitted photos for anyone's use.  BDG is also looking at doing a Benton County calendar which will include the winning photos each year.

The 2011 “Photos of Benton County” Contest will have a due date of June 16, 2011, so photos are available for voting at the 2011 Benton County Fair (BDG booth in the exhibition hall).  Please see the www.bentoncountyiowa.comwebsite for additional details or call 319-472-5545.