Monday, Feb. 11. 2008
For information, please contact
Bert Byers, (865) 742-3011

For immediate release

Kiwanis Club supports ETCH photo contest
Cutest Little Baby Face Contest registration begins

Pre-registration has begun for the 18th annual Cutest Little Baby Face Contest, open to children six years and under with contest winners determined by votes generated by money collected in the name of a particular child; one dollar equals one hundred votes. All proceeds from the contest will benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Sevierville Kiwanis Club, Belz Outlets, Smoky Mountain Babies and Gary Woods Photography, the official photographers of the contest.

"We are thrilled to once again support this worthwhile cause," said Contest Chair, Leslie Atchley, of Sevierville Kiwanis Club. "Our club takes a great deal of pride in raising more than $43,000 in the past three years alone." Atchley said the local Kiwanis Club's participation also supports the Kiwanis International theme of Children - Priority One.

Contestants will have their photographs professionally taken in the Center Court Area of Belz Outlets in Pigeon Forge, March 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 9 from noon to 5 p.m. by Gary Woods Photography. Photographs will be on display March 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. and March 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several photographic views will be taken and parents will be able to select the one they prefer. The entrance fee covers the cost of the contest photograph. Additional photographic packages are available.

Many Sevier County pre-school and childcare centers already have registration forms but the competition is open to all children throughout the region. Last year children came from as far away as Lenoir City, Maryville and Knoxville. Pre-registration is also available by calling the Children's Hospital Development Office at (865) 541-8745. In addition to the registration forms being available at Belz Outlets and Gary Woods Photography, the form is also available on-line at www.seviervillekiwanis.com. The pre-registration fee is $5 per child; after February 29, the entry fee will be $7. Children may also register on March 8 and 9 at Belz Outlets.

Voting takes place during the period between March 8 and 22. Voting, or money collection, takes place in neighborhoods, businesses or via fund raisers such as bake sales or car washes.
In addition to a variety of children's activities scheduled at Belz Outlets, a special visit has been planned from the Easter Bunny and from "Bloomie," the official mascot of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce's Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a crown, trophy, and prize package from Belz Outlets; a gift basket and $200 gift certificate to Smoky Mountain Babies; a family vacation get-away compliments of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, and VIP passes and recognition at the Smith Family Theater in Pigeon Forge. The top runner-up in each age group, birth-3 years and 4-6 years, will receive a trophy and prize package from Belz Outlets, a gift basket and $50 gift certificate from Smoky Mountain Babies. Trophies and prize packages will also be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place winners in each age group.

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Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

Attention Editors/News Directors: If you would like to interview a Cutest Little Baby Face Contest official, please feel free to contact Bert Byers, 865-742-3011.