On June 16,  Mayor Oscar B. Goodman announced the launch of CAPTURE DOWNTOWN! - a  photographic competition sponsored by the city of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, Symphony Park and Newland and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Downtown Las Vegas Alliance is hosting the online entry (click here for Official Rules) on its website for the competition.

Downtown residents, workers, fans and photographers of all skill levels and ages 21-plus are invited to capture images that depict life in downtown Las Vegas and enter to win categories including Lifestyle: everyday life/work/play in downtown Las Vegas; Stars: interesting people who live/work downtown; and Icons: downtown landmarks, neon signs and historic buildings.

"There is new vitality downtown given the many new businesses and landmark projects filling the skyline," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman.  "A photo competition is the perfect way to celebrate the progress of downtown redevelopment and capture the people, places and things that are converging to create new energy in our city."

Winners will be announced in October during the Symphony Park Lecture at the historic Fifth Street School. Winning photographs will be featured on a variety of downtown-centric websites and will be displayed in a number of bars, restaurants and businesses throughout the downtown area this fall.

A People's Choice award will also be given - the photo entries will be hosted on the www.lvrj.com site from September 1 through September 22^nd for the voting.

Prizes include a variety of downtown fun packages that feature complimentary drinks and meals from downtown bars and restaurants, gift certificates from downtown retailers and hotels, downtown merchandise and more.

Entry deadline is August 15 and all entries must be submitted digitally to www.downtownlasvegasalliance.com/capturedowntown.

Photo: From the Capture Downtown! poster - photograph in lens by Ryan Reason