Pure Michigan To Showcase Instagram Beach Photos

By Edward Cardenas

LANSING (CBSDetroit.com) - Pure Michigan wants to beach-goers to share their best beach photos on Instagram in the #BeachChallenge.

Pure Michigan, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are teaming up for a 10-day Instagram challenge to showcase beaches from across the state.

"From sparkling blue waters to the chance to reconnect with friends and family, Michigan's beach experience is as diverse as it is beautiful," said Leslie Hornung, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in a release. "This challenge is the perfect opportunity to engage with our fans and spread the word about the vast beach offerings found in Pure Michigan."

Each day visitors will be asked to share a photo on Instagram of a specific challenge or activity and tag it with @PureMichigan and use the hashtags #PureMichigan and #BeachChallenge.

The schedule for the 10-day photo challenge schedule includes:

- June 20 – Favorite Beach to Catch a Sunrise or Sunset

- June 21 – Favorite Dog-Friendly Beach

- June 22 – Favorite State Park Beach

- June 23 – Favorite Beach to Fly a Kite

- June 24 – Favorite Beach for Watersports

- June 25 – Favorite Beach for Fishing from the Shore or Dock

- June 26 – Favorite Beach to Experience Clear Waters

- June 27 – Favorite Beach to Take a Long Walk

- June 28 – Favorite Beach to Hang Out with Family and Friends

- June 29 – Favorite Beach to Watch Fireworks

"Water defines Michigan," said DEQ Director Dan Wyant. "It is the reason people come to live, work and play in our state. We all love the Great Lakes and inland waters, and this challenge is a great opportunity for Michiganders to show off their best beach memories."

Photo entries tagged with #puremichigan and #beachchallenge will be added to a gallery at michigan.org/beachchallenge. The gallery will go live June 20, and  one daily winner will be chosen for each challenge topic.

Daily winners will be featured on the Pure Michigan Instagram account and receive a Personal Sun Care Kit from the Pure Michigan Store.

At the end of the challenge, a grand prize photograph will be selected from all entries received and will be featured across Pure Michigan social channels and receive an "Ultimate Pure Michigan Beach Day" package that includes a beach towel, a fire pit, a tackle box, a cooler and a sun care kit among other prizes.

Pure Michigan has the number one state tourism Instagram account in the nation with nearly 100,000 followers, according to state officials.