Hot pursuit of blue and gray: 16th Landmarks Contest kicks off

Blue and gray. No, that's not a description of the weather in Hagerstown. That's the theme of this year's Landmarks Contest.

In honor of the upcoming sesquicentennial of the Battle of Antietam, the clues for this year's contest are divided between the colors that characterize the army uniforms for Federal troops and Confederate troops.

The Herald-Mail's 16th annual Landmarks Contest is set in Hagerstown this year, with five blue clues referring to the Union and five gray clues alluding to the Confederacy. Identify the answers to our 10 clues and you might win $300.

As in years past, this year's clues are close-up photos of buildings or structures, some seen from an oblique angle. All clues are visible from public sidewalks, walkways or streets in the city of Hagerstown (for boundaries, see map at right). Please do not trample on yards, stand on people's porches or enter private property.

Participants must correctly identify all 10 buildings or structures as clearly and specifically as possible on the contest entry form. Note the address or name of the building or structure. Addresses may on either side of streets on boundaries of search area. Bear in mind that many of Hagerstown's streets are divided into extensions of north and south or east and west.

In case of a tie, one entry will be drawn from a hat.

Dress appropriately for your search, and bring water. You can also find cool air and refreshment in the bars and restaurants in downtown Hagerstown.

All of this year's clues are pictured in this edition of Lifestyle. Clues and an online form are available by going to http://a.herald-mail.com/forms/landmarks-2012/

Rules and eligibility

The person or family that correctly locates and identifies the most Landmarks will win $300. If a group enters more than one entry form, only one entry will be accepted per group member.

The winner must be available to be photographed Tuesday, Aug. 21. The answers and the champ's name and photograph will be published Sunday, Aug. 26, in the Lifestyle section.

To be eligible to win, you must live in Washington or Frederick counties in Maryland; Franklin or Fulton counties in Pennsylvania; or Berkeley, Jefferson or Morgan counties in West Virginia.

Employees of The Herald-Mail and their families are not eligible.

How to enter

Answer forms must be submitted to The Herald-Mail by 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20. Submit your completed entry with your name, address and daytime phone number. If we can't contact you, you can't win.