A Decade of Delights

May 22, 2025

TVA Fun Photo Contest Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Swimsuit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Wakeboard? Check.

Graduation cap and gown? Absolutely.

That lake-day packing list may seem odd, but it’s exactly what Athena Rains, of Pikeville, Tennessee, had in mind last summer when she set out to capture one-of-a-kind graduation photos of her son, Jace.

Given her family’s appreciation of the region’s lakes and mountains, Rains wanted to get some graduation snaps that would defy tradition.

Her goal? Photograph Jace, in cap and gown, wakeboarding on Chickamauga Reservoir.

“We were at the lake, and I had all of these fun photo ideas we started trying,” Rains said. “This one worked out!”

The action-packed photo landed Rains the first-place spot in the 2024 TVA Fun photo contest, which also earned her a new GoPro camera.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of TVA Fun, which means more opportunities to continue capturing those unforgettable photos of people enjoying public lands and waterways.

TVA Fun winning photo of graduate wakeboarding in cap and gown

Athena Rains captured this action-packed shot of her son, Jace, wakeboarding at Chickamauga Reservoir, and it earned her the top prize in the 2024 TVA Fun photo contest.

Months of Fun

TVA Fun is a social media summer photography contest that celebrates public enjoyment of the lands and waterways that TVA helps manage.

Over the past decade, the contest has received more than 5,000 photo submissions from the region’s residents and visitors.

“TVA Fun started as a fun opportunity to get people to show us how they use and recreate on our public lands,” Andrew Dickey, TVA social media specialist, said.

Running from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, the contest invites submissions centered around engaging monthly themes.

With camping in May, trails in June, water sports in July and fishing in August, each summer month offers a new lens through which to view the region.

Beyond the joy of sharing fun photographs, this year’s TVA Fun campaign offers some upgraded incentives.

Winners will have the opportunity to receive a GoPro Hero 13, YETI backpack cooler or BOSE waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

The beauty of TVA Fun is it simply shares the moments people are already enjoying as they explore the region’s stunning waterways and public lands.

Whether that’s the crackle of a campfire, splash of summer fun or the quiet focus of fishing, these are affordable, unforgettable experiences that bring the region to life.

“It is an excellent way for the people we serve to show off where they go and what they do for fun in the local communities,” Dickey said.

TVA Fun employee winning photo of snorkeling in North Carolina

Meredith Boatman's snap of a snorkeler at the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail in North Carolina earned her first place in the 2024 TVA Fun photo contest for TVA employees.

Snorkel Selfies

TVA Fun has a public competition, as well as a separate competition for TVA employees.

Last year, Meredith Boatman, TVA manager of compliance in Ethics and Compliance, earned top prize in the employee contest when she captured a memorable moment at the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail in Bryson City, North Carolina.

As a hobbyist photographer, Boatman knew the snorkeling trip with her cousins held potential for some truly captivating shots. Her fun underwater selfie earned her a new GoPro camera.

“I love our public lands, especially our lakes and rivers,” Boatman said. “We live in a gorgeous part of the country.”