Events are happening throughout the metro area as a tribute to the Fourth of July, and people are showing their patriotism in many ways. Why not share the photos you took and possibly win a prize?

It’s pretty simple. Here’s all you have to do:

• Find your best, original picture of Fourth of July or other patriotic festivities.
• To add your images, click on the "Upload Photos and Video" button under the photo. Please include your hometown and where you took the photo in the caption.
• When you submit a photo, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of three separate prizes: a $100 Visa gift card, $20 gift card to a local coffee shop or Patch t-shirt ($5 value).

And, some of the legal details: 

• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.

• To enter, upload your original Fourth of July or patriotic photo to the “Patch's Patriotic Pride Photo Sweepstakes” post on either Maple Grove Patch, Plymouth-MN Patch, St. Michael Patch, Lake Minnetonka Patch, Golden Valley Patch or Fridley Patch. Entrants may submit only their own original photos. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person. 

• All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time, July 12, 2012.

• You may enter one (1) entry per calendar day.

• Three winners will be selected in a random drawing. One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a $100 retail Visa gift card (subject to issuer’s terms and conditions). One (1) First Prize winner will receive a $20 gift card to a local coffee shop. One (1) Second Prize Winner will receive a Patch t-shirt (approximate retail value: $5).

See attached PDF for complete Official Rules.

Please share the link with your friends and family and brag about your great photo. Then tell Patch and community members something awesome about your photograph in comments section below.