2026 City of Mankato Photo Contest

Capture Mankato Through the Seasons!

Celebrate the beauty, landscapes, and character of Mankato by sharing your favorite photographs! Whether it’s a snowy winter morning, a colorful spring garden, a sunny summer park, or a cozy fall scene, we want to see Mankato through your lens.

2026 theme: “Mankato Through the Seasons”

Deadline: Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 p.m.

New this year! When submitting your photos, please select one seasonal category for each entry: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall. Photos will be organized by category for community voting.

Contest Rules:

Eligibility:

Photos must be taken of people, places and spaces within Mankato City limits. Photos taken outside of City limits will not be considered. View a City limit map.
Photos must be taken within the last two years.
Entry is limited to 10 photos per photographer.
A completed entry form must be submitted along with photo(s). You may use one form for up to 10 photo entries.
If photos contain recognizable faces:
- You will be required to provide a signed photograph consent form to be considered for the photo contest.
- City staff will email the form for you to complete and return when you submit your photo entry.
- If the photo subject is under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must sign the release.
- If you submit a photo with recognizable faces but do not submit the consent form, the photo will not be considered for the contest.

Photo Requirements

Digital format: JPG/JPEG or PNG
Minimum resolution: 300 dpi
Orientation: Landscape
File name format: PhotoName_PhotographerFirst_PhotographerLast_PhotographerCityOfResidence
Example: FlowersInSibleyPark_Joe_Smith_Mankato.jpg

How to Enter

Review the contest rules and select up to 10 photos you wish to submit.
Ensure your files meet format and naming requirements.
Complete the Photo Contest Entry Form. One form may be used for up to 10 photos.
Email your entry form and photo files to: photocontest@mankatomn.govor mail a USB drive/CD and completed entry form to:
City of Mankato
Engagement and Communications Office
10 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 3368
Mankato, MN 56002-3368

All entries must be received by Sunday, Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Prizes and Recognition:

All photos will be voted on by the community through online voting.
Top prize: $100 gift certificate to the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and cover of the City of Mankato calendar.
Top two winning photos will be printed and displayed at the Intergovernmental Center (10 Civic Center Plaza).
The top 12 entries will be featured in the 2027 City of Mankato Calendar, distributed to approximately 24,000 households.

How Voting Works:

Round 1: Photos are grouped into four categories. Vote for your favorites in each category to help narrow the entries down to our finalists.
Round 2: From the finalists, community members will select the 12 calendar photos, plus vote for an overall winner (cover photo + grand prize) and an honorable mention.

Your voice helps celebrate Mankato’s character and community pride — thank you for voting and supporting local photographers!

Timeline:

Round 1 Voting: Sept. 7–14, 2026
Round 2 Voting: Sept. 21–28, 2026

Capture Mankato Through the Seasons!

2026 theme: “Mankato Through the Seasons”

Deadline: Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 p.m.

New this year! When submitting your photos, please select one seasonal category for each entry: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall. Photos will be organized by category for community voting.

Contest Rules:

Eligibility:

Photos must be taken of people, places and spaces within Mankato City limits. Photos taken outside of City limits will not be considered. View a City limit map.
Photos must be taken within the last two years.
Entry is limited to 10 photos per photographer.
A completed entry form must be submitted along with photo(s). You may use one form for up to 10 photo entries.
If photos contain recognizable faces:
- You will be required to provide a signed photograph consent form to be considered for the photo contest.
- City staff will email the form for you to complete and return when you submit your photo entry.
- If the photo subject is under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must sign the release.
- If you submit a photo with recognizable faces but do not submit the consent form, the photo will not be considered for the contest.

Photo Requirements

Digital format: JPG/JPEG or PNG
Minimum resolution: 300 dpi
Orientation: Landscape
File name format: PhotoName_PhotographerFirst_PhotographerLast_PhotographerCityOfResidence
Example: FlowersInSibleyPark_Joe_Smith_Mankato.jpg

How to Enter

Review the contest rules and select up to 10 photos you wish to submit.
Ensure your files meet format and naming requirements.
Complete the Photo Contest Entry Form. One form may be used for up to 10 photos.
Email your entry form and photo files to: photocontest@mankatomn.govor mail a USB drive/CD and completed entry form to:
City of Mankato
Engagement and Communications Office
10 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 3368
Mankato, MN 56002-3368

All entries must be received by Sunday, Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Prizes and Recognition:

All photos will be voted on by the community through online voting.
Top prize: $100 gift certificate to the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and cover of the City of Mankato calendar.
Top two winning photos will be printed and displayed at the Intergovernmental Center (10 Civic Center Plaza).
The top 12 entries will be featured in the 2027 City of Mankato Calendar, distributed to approximately 24,000 households.

How Voting Works:

Round 1: Photos are grouped into four categories. Vote for your favorites in each category to help narrow the entries down to our finalists.
Round 2: From the finalists, community members will select the 12 calendar photos, plus vote for an overall winner (cover photo + grand prize) and an honorable mention.

Your voice helps celebrate Mankato’s character and community pride — thank you for voting and supporting local photographers!

Timeline:

Round 1 Voting: Sept. 7–14, 2026
Round 2 Voting: Sept. 21–28, 2026

Page last updated: 18 May 2026, 11:14 AM

2026 City of Mankato Photo Contest

Capture Mankato Through the Seasons!

Contest Rules:

Eligibility:

Photo Requirements

How to Enter

Prizes and Recognition:

How Voting Works:

Timeline:

Capture Mankato Through the Seasons!

Contest Rules:

Eligibility:

Photo Requirements

How to Enter

Prizes and Recognition:

How Voting Works:

Timeline:

Important Links

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