Congaree National Park is seeking entries for the 12th Annual SwampFest Student Art competition. Co-sponsored by the Southeast Rural Community Outreach (SERCO) and the Friends of Congaree Swamp (FOCS), the competition is an opportunity for young artists from the Midlands to showcase their talent while celebrating Congaree’s diverse resources. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, this year’s art competition theme is, “Wilderness is closer than you think”. Students are asked to submit art to their teachers, depicting a close-up view of plants, animals or recreational opportunities found within the Congaree National Park Wilderness. Park staff will select first place and honorable mentions from the entries. The first place entries will receive cash prizes, provided by FOCS and SERCO. Honorable mentions will receive prizes from Congaree National Park. Entries will be displayed at Congaree National Park’s Harry Hampton Visitor Center from October 4 through December.
 
Students in grades K-8 may submit art from any medium to their teachers. Teachers should ensure that all entries include a label (see attached sheet). Teachers can mail entries to SwampFest Art Competition, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061 or drop off entries in person at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Tuesday-Saturday. All entries are due no later than Wednesday, September 24, 2014. For more information call 803-647-3965 or email Lindsay_Compton@nps.gov.
 
The 12th Annual SwampFest is a local heritage celebration sponsored by SERCO and Richland County, and will take place October 3-4, 2014, in Lower Richland County. Events are sponsored by SERCO at the Harriet Barber House on Friday, and Old Mt. Moriah church yard on Saturday. Congaree National Park will host FREE special programs in the park on Saturday, October 4, in conjunction with SwampFest. Festival information can be found at http://www.congareeswampfest.com/. For more information about Congaree National Park visit http://www.nps.gov/cong.