Getting outside for fresh air and taking a walk is encouraged by both the CDC and Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources. So, why not add a history lesson and employ your talents as a photographer at the same time?

The Wyoming County Cultural Center will conduct a photo contest over the next month to highlight the Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tour. While the Dietrich Theater is currently inaccessible for the printed brochures and maps, all contestants need is a pleasant day, two hours to complete the walk, and a phone that supports Chrome or Firefox to win some great prizes.

The Walking Tour includes a phone app that provides a map, thumbnail photos of the 40 featured homes and business structures, and audio recordings of the stories behind each stop. Starting Wednesday, May 6, area residents are encouraged to log onto www.dietrichtheater.com and click on Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tour under the events tab.

Take your time and enjoy the walk and hear the history of Wyoming County’s seat unfold before you as you also take in the sights and sounds of spring. Take photos of your favorite buildings. Include your family members, your dogs, and flowering trees and shrubs. Post one to five of your best photos to the Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tour Facebook page.

Be sure to include notes about the subject matter, including the building number or name as it is listed on the app and the names of any people or pets you include in the shot. Send your friends to the Walking Tour page to “like” your photo(s). Prizes will be awarded for the most popular groupings (up to five) photos and the best solo shots. You can vote even if you’ve never been on the tour.

The contest will run through Friday, May 29, after which the number of likes attributed to single pictures and groups will be tabulated. The winner will be announced the following week and contacted via Facebook to make arrangements to pick up their prizes.

“The Wyoming County Cultural Center staff and the coordinators of the Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tour are eager to offer guided tours to the public when gatherings of small groups of people are again allowed,” said Cultural Center executive director Erica Rogler. “But this is something that people can do on their own within the  current safety guidelines and have some fun. We also encourage students to participate in the contest.”

The Walking Tour Photo contest is sponsored by Ronnie and Sandy Vieczorek. First prize for both the single shot and best group of photos will be a $30 gift card to the Dietrich Theater, and second prize will be a $20 gift card for each category.