Pierce County, Washington, and surrounding area photographers are invited to share their vision of “The Good Life in the Great Outdoors” in the first-ever Madrona Fest Community Photography Contest.
This contest celebrates both the beauty and character of rural western Washington and invites our community to see the Key Peninsula and our region through different lenses.
Winning photos will display at Madrona Fest and be featured in the Key Peninsula News on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The first-place winner will receive a $200 gift card, recognition in the Key Peninsula News, and a featured festival display. Second place earns a $100 gift card, recognition in the Key Peninsula News, and a display at the festival.
The contest is open to all ages and skill levels, from beginners with a phone camera to experienced photographers. Each entrant may submit up to five original photographs, each with a title and a short description.
Submit your photos by midnight on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Upload entries at madronafest.com or email them to Matt@WeMakeHay.com.
Area art teachers and members of the Two Waters Arts Alliance will serve as judges. They consider creativity, originality, theme relevance, technical quality, and emotional impact.
More than a competition, we hope that this contest celebrates the stories and landscapes that make the Key Peninsula unique. The festival will feature Nathan Evans Fox, known for his roots-inspired storytelling, as well as Greenlandic-Danish Simon Lynge and his band.
Buffalo Kin, a rising folk-rock group, and Flaming Fingers String Band, a local mainstay of bluegrass and old-time traditions, will also perform.
The headliner is Black Belt Eagle Scout, the project of Swinomish artist Katherine Paul, whose music has gained national recognition for its blend of indie-rock power and deeply personal storytelling.
The Key Peninsula Civic Center, a community hub for more than 65 years, will again open its doors and grounds to the festival. Attendees can enjoy food from local farms, browse the arts and makers market, and dance into the fall evening.
Festival Schedule Highlights
- 12:00 PM – Music Workshops (Old Time/Basic Bluegrass Guitar, Fiddle, and Banjo)
- 1:00 PM – Old Time Jam
- 2:00 PM – Contra Dance
- 3:30 PM – Local Photography Contest
- 4:00 PM – Evening Concert
As the evening begins, the festival culminates in a showcase of the full lineup. And while the weather may be unpredictable in October on the Key Peninsula, all performances are scheduled indoors.
