Thanks to unseasonably warm weather and a commitment to #OptOutside Thanksgiving Weekend, many Virginia State Parks users enjoyed the outdoors instead of fighting the crowds in the malls.

We had 205 entries for our photo challenge and it was really hard narrowing the submissions down to a handful of winners. But, it had to be done. Here are the winners and details about their photographs.

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Grand Prize Winner
$500 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate

"Best Deal On Black Friday"
Chippokes State Park
Photo by Shannon Schojan

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First Place Winner
Virginia State Parks Lifetime Naturally Yours Passport Plus

"Shark Tooth Hunters"
Westmoreland State Park
Photo by Mike Whetstone

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We had such a hard time selecting winners, we chose two Second Place Winners

Second Place Winner
$150 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate

"Hiking at Sky Meadows"
Sky Meadows State Park
Photo by Tracy Baetz

AND

Second Place Winner
$150 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate

"Early Morning Glory"
Leesylvania State Park
Photo by Joann Bushay

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Two Third Place Winners
Virginia State Parks Naturally Yours Annual Passes
and
REI Flash 18 Packs donated by REI Richmond

"Rainbow River"
Shenandoah River State Park
Photo by Michael Hillman
 

"River of Birds"
Chippokes State Park
Photo by Tim Baker

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Two Honorable Mention Winners
Virginia State Parks Naturally Yours Annual Passes
and
REI MiiR Pint Cups donated by REI Richmond

"Inspecting the Little Things"
Powhatan State Park
Photo by Lillie

"Better Than TV"
First Landing State Park
Photo by Lauren Florin

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We love how REI inspired so many of our park enthusiasts with their #OptOutside Challenge and created some great advertising for our 5th Annual Turn Black Friday Green promotion. 

Join me in congratulating the winners and thanks to everyone that entered. Less than a month until our First Day Hikes photo contest for that event as well. Get those cameras and smart phones ready!