Calaway Park is celebrating "40 plus one” years in operation in 2022, and as part of its festivities, has announced the start of its 14th annual WOW photo contest to capture attendees’ most Insta-worthy moments attending the park this summer.
Bob Williams, general manager at Calaway Park, said though the contest was cancelled in 2020, last year’s rendition was shortened due to lockdowns and hampered by public health restrictions that required attendees to mask up, resulting in fewer photos being taken.
“This year we’re celebrating 40 plus one years of family fun and we wanted to put a lot of effort into people taking photos,” he said. “Whether they’re sending us a description or a short story of the memory, we’re trying to capture that [moment].”
Williams added this year’s prizes (awarded to five recipients) have been expanded to include cash prizes, season passes, and single day tickets altogether valued at $2,620 as an incentive to get people to the park snapping photos and making memories that will last a lifetime.
The contest is slated to run from the Springbank-based amusement park’s grand opening on May 21 throughout its 2022 summer season until October 24.
“Calaway Park is encouraging anyone who wishes to enter to make their way down to the park this summer and snap some fun photos of family and friends enjoying one of Calaway Park’s iconic attractions,” reads a Calaway Park press release.
According to Williams, the original idea for the photo competition came about from a trip to an International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions conference in Orlando, Florida, where Chelsea Barteaux, marketing and guest services manager at the park, was inspired.
“There’s all sorts of industry ideas and topics that come about [at the conference] and our business is very visual,” he said. “It usually shows a lot of emotion, and you get that through photos or video.”
Barteaux said the photo contest is the ideal way to celebrate the Springbank venue's 41st year in operation as it captures all the special memories created there.
She added the photos will later be used in the communication and marketing of the park.
“What better way to share the Calaway Park story than through these authentic experiences?” Barteaux said. “We can’t wait to see what memories … and moments of connection, joy, and excitement … are shared with us this year.”
Similarly, Williams said the photos are often a great marketing tool for the park as they show an authentic experience and capture real emotions in people rather than a paid actor from an agency.
“You’re getting really authentic photos and some of the photos of children having fun or with cotton candy all over their face – those are the ones where even parents themselves laugh,” he said. “It’s just a way to capture people’s raw emotions – the joy and in some cases the fear that might be on their face.”
According to the Calaway Park press release, the WOW Photo Contest is a way to celebrate the patrons that come to Calaway Park and spend their summer making memories there, while encouraging newcomers to do the same.
“Without the people of Alberta, Calaway Park would not be the park it is today, and it is incredibly important to recognize the longevity of support, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” read the statement.
“Being an outdoor park, Calaway Park is excited to continue to offer people a safe outdoor venue for families and friends to spend time together and connect with their community.”
Those interested in participating in the photo competition can submit their entry at calawaypark.com or email it to [email protected].
According to Williams, the opening weekend at the park was jam-packed with guests looking for some fun in the sun while staying close to home, noting an increase in campground reservations from the western provinces.
“Last weekend we felt a sense of normal,” Williams said. “People were having fun, people were out, they were enjoying rides, they were eating the food, they were playing the games.”
He added approximately 1,000 attendees witnessed an illusionist perform at the park’s outdoor celebration stage.
Many also attended the 3D theatre without restrictions, fostering a feeling of pre-pandemic fun.
“I think that’s what we will experience this summer,” he said, adding an adrenaline rush and a chance to scream is great post-COVID therapy. “I believe it is important for people to get out with their families and spend time and so that’s what we experienced last weekend.
“It was busy and so we were all moving pretty fast, but we think it’s going to be a good summer.”
While season passes are no longer for sale, day tickets can be purchased online or in-person at Calgary Co-op starting June 1.
