Red Carpet Country is looking for photos of unique attractions, events, landscapes, etc., of this 16-county area of Oklahoma for the purpose of promoting Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country as a tourist destination. All photos must be taken in Red Carpet Country (Alfalfa, Beaver, Blaine, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Kay, Kingfisher, Major, Noble, Texas, Woods, and Woodward Counties) within the years of 2010 and 2011.

There are three divisions that photos may be submitted to. There are two divisions for adults; one for professionals, those who work in media, have sold photos, work in photographic studios and/or earn any money through photography; and a general category for non-professionals over 18 years of age.

A school age division invites photographs taken by students in grades K through 12.

There are several categories of subject matter that you may submit a photo to: Seasonal; Wildlife; Wildflowers; Events/Activities in Red Carpet Country; Lifestyle in Red Carpet Country; Landscapes; Historic Buildings; Children; Golden-age; Human Interest; Hobbies; Pets; Other.

Individuals may enter one photo in each category in their division.

A first, second, and third place will be awarded in each category and division. An overall prize of first ($250), second ($125), and third ($75) will be awarded.

Click here for the complete rules and instructions for submitting your photo.

Deadline to enter is August 1, 2011!

Members of the Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Club recently met to finalize plans for the 18th Annual Ponca City Herb Festival. Club members are front row: Melinda Peasae, Betty Caveny, and Eileen Frazier. Back row: Charlene Cole, Mary Ann Potter, Bobbie Aupperle and Jan Nalon.

This year’s festival will be held at the L.A. Cann Memorial Botanical Gardens, on Saturday, June 4th from 8 am – 4 pm. The free festival has grown throughout its 18 years, and will have over 100 vendor booths this year.

Betty Caveny, chairperson of this year’s event, said that booth selection has been quite difficult. “We have so many people wanting to be in our festival, and it’s very difficult selecting the final 100 that can participate. And as always, we’re working to ensure that we have a great variety of food booths for the hungry crowds” said Caveny.

Scheduled for this year’s event are several free seminars including Dutch oven cooking, “Cooking with Herbs” and the popular pie-baking contest (attendees get to eat the pies!) which made its debut last year. The Children’s Activities Area, another popular attraction, will return, with several hands-on activities scheduled, including creating garden hats, as well as planting flowers in recycled children’s shoes and recycled paper garden pots.

Entertainment will include crowd-favorite, Inkapirka as well as the students from Miss Suzi’s Singing School. Sweet Harmony, a local favorite new to the festival this year, will entertain the Cann Home patio crowd in the morning. Miss Elsie Cann will also be on hand (Carol Bouldin) to give an oral history of the Cann Gardens in the afternoon.

With the growth of the Herb Festival, the Sage Rosemary and Thyme Club has put out a request for volunteers, either individuals or groups, to help with set-up on Friday or tear-down on Saturday following the event. Volunteer coordinator Eileen Frazier can be reached at 580-762-7559 .

For more information, visit the Ponca City Herb Festival online or call Ponca City Tourism at (580) 765-4400.