Sharon Kay Carper’s winning photograph, “Fisherman’s Tale,” taken at Point Park in Parkersburg.
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A photograph taken by a Parkersburg woman at Point Park has won a photo contest sponsored by Daytripper magazine and ViaAir in their “Come Home to WV” Contest.
Sharon Kay Carper’s photograph of three people at Point Park in Parkersburg, titled “Fisherman’s Tale,” was selected as the winner in the contest that began in May. The two contest sponsors selected the top three photographs, and the public voted on Facebook between June 6-13 to select the grand prize winner.
Carper, who enjoys photographing the beauty of West Virginia, will receive two free tickets to fly from Beckley, W.Va., to any ViaAir destination. Her photograph will be featured in the July issue of Daytripper along with her West Virginia story.
ViaAir was recently selected by the local airport authority to provide 12 flights a week from the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and back. The U.S. Department of Transportation has the final say on this proposal.
The photo contest stated: “Share your love for Wild & Wonderful West Virginia and tell what visitors need to discover most to Come Home to West Virginia!” It was recommended photographers take photos at their favorite West Virginia spot.
Photos were posted to Daytripper’s or ViaAir’s Facebook pages or posted to Instagram with the contest hashtag #ComeHometoWV.
With her winning photo Carper wrote that the gentlemen were enjoying the sunset at Point Park. “They were talking with a fisherman. In that particular picture, it looked like he was telling how the big one got away maybe, with his outstretched arms,” Carper said.
Carper said she has noticed other people at Point Park talking about fishing. “I call this photo ‘fisherman’s tale.’ The photo represents all good things about West Virginia. Our beautiful hills, the Ohio River and our easy going lifestyle. WV is a place where folks can relax and enjoy our golden hospitality,” Carper said.
Carper said this about winning the grand prize.
“I am happy to win this contest because it has brought attention to our beautiful town of Parkersburg,” she said. The magazine is distributed outside this area, so folks may consider this area for a day trip, “possibly using our airport coming and going,” Carper said.
“We also have the most beautiful sunsets. … and I am happy to have shared it with others via this contest … so they can enjoy it too,” Carper said.
Daytripper, a magazine based in Lewisburg, W.Va., chronicles the day trips available to its readers and supports local businesses, said Lisa Stansell, the publisher. Daytripper is distributed in West Virginia, Virginia, the D.C. Metro Area and Tennessee.
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