ORLEANS – The annual Orleans Dogwood Festival is shaking things up for 2026, expanding its traditional photography competition into a three-part celebration of local history and visual art. This year, the festival will introduce a heritage-focused calendar contest and a non-competitive public display alongside its standard judged categories.
The expansion coincides with the Orange County America 250 Celebration, offering residents more ways than ever to showcase their work.
New for 2026: The “History & Heritage” Calendar
In a special collaboration, the festival will produce a 2027 Orange County Calendar. Twelve selected photos that best honor the history and heritage of the county will be featured.
- Dual Entry: Photographers can enter their heritage shots into the main festival contest for judging, or submit them specifically for the calendar selection only.
- Requirements: Photos must be at least 5×7 in size and must be matted or framed.
The Non-Judged Photo Display
For those who wish to share their favorite snapshots without the pressure of competition, a new Photo Display section has been added. This category is open to everyone—even those who didn’t take the photo themselves but have a cherished image they’d like the community to see.
“We know that some photographers don’t like to be judged,” organizers noted. “We want to include those who just have a great photo they’d love to share.”
The Main Contest: Three Skill Levels
For those seeking the thrill of competition, the traditional contest returns with three distinct categories to ensure fair play:
- Amateur/Beginner: For cell phone enthusiasts and “point-and-shoot” hobbyists with little to no editing.
- Intermediate: For those comfortable with photography who may occasionally sell or share work but don’t consider themselves professionals.
- Advanced: For established photography businesses, those with professional equipment, or photographers with advanced editing skills.
Awards: First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in each of the three skill levels.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The contest is open exclusively to residents of Orleans and surrounding townships.
| Event Milestone | Date / Time |
| Entry Deadline | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Drop-off Location | Orleans Town Hall (Mon–Fri, 9 am – 4 pm) |
| Public Exhibition | Opens Thursday, April 23, at Unity Hall |
| Photo Pickup | Saturday, April 25, at Unity Hall (following Silent Auction) |
Submission Guidelines
- Quantity: Limit of 5 photographs per person.
- Entry Fee: $1 per photo for the contest.
- Size: Minimum 5×7, must be matted or framed.
- Identification: Attach a note to the back of each frame with the photographer’s name, phone number, and chosen skill level.
- Permissions: It is assumed that photographers have obtained permission from any human subjects featured in their work.
For questions or to schedule a special drop-off time, contact Contest Chair Gretchen Nelson at dgnelson4@gmail.com.
