As part of our Summer Camp 2022 event, we hosted a writing contest. We issued open invites across the internet, and several very talented people answered the call and provided us with their memories of summer’s past. We were very entertained by their tales, moved by their memories, and became a little jealous of their fun in all honesty.
Not only did we offer a forum for them to tell their tales, but we also offered them the chance to win prizes for their efforts as well. Our presenting sponsor for the event, Old Time Candy, also stepped up to the plate and donated to the prize pool to up the stakes even more.
The prizes offered were:
- $75 Amazon digital gift card + a retro metal lunchbox filled with penny candy
- $25 Amazon digital gift card + a retro metal lunchbox filled with penny candy
- TRN gift pack + a retro metal lunchbox filled with penny candy
For a contest like this, you have to have a panel of judges. Jason and Mickey were involved as always, and the rest of the panel was rounded out by three esteemed members of the retro/nostalgia online universe:
Anthony Grate – co-author of the soon-to-be-released novel, Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions, and owner/operator of RetroDaze.org.
Shawn Robare – the mastermind behind the legendary Branded in the ’80s website, as well as one of the talking heads in the fantastic Monster Squad documentary, Wolfman’s Got Nards.
Mike Westfall – host of the acclaimed Advent Calendar House podcast.
Our judges picked their five favorite writings, in order, and points were awarded for the choices. Five points were awarded for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place, and right on down the line to a fifth-place being worth one point. The votes were all cast, and the results are in, so it’s time to announce our winners!
First Place: Downhill Daredevils by Chris Bailey!
Second Place: Summer at the Rec Center by Brandon Myers!
Third Place: Our Family Vacation to Disney World by Karen Flieger!
Congratulations to our winners, and if you are one of our winners, be on the lookout for us to contact you about your prizes.
And we’d like to thank everyone who participated and submitted entries. Your memories have been great to read and experience. Besides our three winners, here are the rest of the contest entries for your enjoyment.
- Top Songs of the ’80s With SUMMER in the Title
- Ice Cream in the Summertime: The Story of Carvel Soft Serve
- A Not So Traditional Summer
- Beach Dolls
- Retro Commercials: Slip ‘n Slide
- All About Saved by the Bell’s Summer at Malibu Sands
Congratulations to the winners! A fun event and thanks for all who participated!
Thank you so much for the opportunity. It was a great experience and has encouraged me to stretch my writing legs a bit more!