SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (August 15, 2016) – This summer’s community pride event, known as the Schenectady Smiles Pep Rally, will include the guest appearance of the Fabulous Beekman Boys where they will announce the winners of the Schenectady Smiles Photo Contest.
Buzz Media Solutions, in collaboration with the City of Schenectady, neighborhood associations, local businesses and other community organizations, has planned an exciting event for individuals of all ages. This is the second community event organized by the local marketing firm and it follows last year’s Miles of Smiles initiative, which drew a crowd of over 1000 people.
The Schenectady Smiles Pep Rally will take place on Aug. 17 at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Schenectady City Hall on Jay Street.
Featured speakers include Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, owners of Beekman 1802 and the newest members of the Electric City Innovation Center (ECIC), Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, NYS Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara, Ellen Sax, vice president of community engagement at MVP Health Care and Jeff Goronkin of Buzz Media Solutions.
Bringing spirit to the event will be the Mohonasen High School marching band and color guard. The Smile Monster and Newsie Gazette will make special appearances as well. Everyone in the area is invited to attend and encouraged to wear matching t-shirts and bring handmade signs to show their pride for a neighborhood, company or organization.
To paint a picture of the diverse community that makes the city of Schenectady so unique, the firm organized a photo contest accepting photos taken after May 1 of this year. This was meant to encourage residents and other community members to get out and about and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
The contest solicited photos in 5 different categories:
Category #1 – Diversity (people, art, culture, food)
Category #2 – Community Vitality (walkable, vibrant places; transportation, neighborhood pride)
Category #3 – Natural Environment (lakes, rivers, preserves, parks, sky, wildlife)
Category #4 – Architecture/Urban Design (plazas, buildings, neighborhoods, boulevards)
Category #5 – Businesses & Organizations
(businesses, non-profits, schools, clubs)
Community members and business representatives submitted photos from iconic events, like Schenectady County Summer Night, and well known locations like the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci). With over 140 photos submitted, deciding the winners wasn’t an easy choice to make.
A committee of community judges cast their vote for the first and second place awards in each of the five categories. A people’s choice award will be given in each category as well and this award will be given to the photo earning the most votes on the Daily Gazette’s website. At the pep rally, the winning photographs will be announced and the photographers will be presented with awards comprising of donations from local businesses.
Following the pep rally, the winning photographs will be displayed in a gallery in Schenectady City Hall and the Daily Gazette’s website. The entire community is encouraged to visit the gallery and appreciate the beauty of Schenectady and the talent of local artists.
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