Cool and rainy weather didn’t stop Fairfax County residents from getting outside to celebrate the start of the new year. Hundreds of people of all ages enjoyed the Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails and documented their fun by participating in the 2024 First Hike Fairfax photo contest.

The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest is jointly sponsored by the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation as a way for residents to begin a new year with fitness and outdoor activity, while enjoying the experience with friends, neighbors and family. This year, more than 350 contestants submitted photos showcasing the sights and scenes they experienced. The results were spectacular! See the complete collection of submissions on the First Hike Fairfax 2024 photo album Flickr page.

The contest received entries in four categories: scenery and landscapes, people, wildlife and pets. A “Best in Show” was awarded in each category, and three at-large awards were selected by the panel of judges and by popular vote of the countywide community. The following winners received prizes sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

Director’s Choice Award

Judges’ Choice Award

People’s Choice Award

Best in Show (Nature and Landscapes)

Best in Show (People)

Best in Show (Wildlife)

Best in Show (Pets)

Winners received gift cards to the Fairfax County Park Authority provided by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The prize is redeemable toward the cost of most Park Authority programs, events, reservations or Rec Center Memberships.

For more information on First Hike Fairfax, visit the First Hike Fairfax webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet community needs for park land, facilities and services. For more information, visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website.