Photogenic Instagramparents wanted for Instagram competition

Essay contests are so yesterday. Forest Trace, a retirement community in Lauderhill, is hosting the Instagrammys — a photo competition that uses one of the latest social media platforms.

In a competition that began this past Sunday on Grandparent’s Day, the public is invited to post images they think best personify grandmothers and grandfathers on Instagram, using the hashtag #instagramparents. The winners, who will be selected by Forest Trace residents after the contest closes Sunday, will receive $25 Starbucks andTarget gift cards.

The Instagrammys are among several grandparent-themed contests this past month using popular online sites such as Facebook and Twitter as a way to get young people “liking” and Tweeting about senior citizens. Consumer Cellular, an Oregon nocontract wireless provider popular with retirees, accepted Facebook and video submissions for its thirdannual nationwidecompetition, which drew2,600 entries.

Using Instagram “was a way we thought we could get the grandchildren more involved,” said Campbell Epes, Forest Trace’s executive director.

Epes said the retirement community increasingly has turned to social media to help keep out-of-town family members up to date on the residents’ lives, and raise its marketing profile. Earlier in the year, the public was invited to vote online for their favorite matzo ball mix as part of the Forest Trace Matzo Bowl, a contest where seniors sampled entries fromlocal delis.

So far, there have been about 40 Instagramparents submissions — none of which, under contest rules, can portray Forest Trace residents. There are five categories, including Best Vintage photo and Cutest Instagramparents.

Marcy Hoffman, a technology consultant from Hollywood, Instagrammed her entry after she saw a tweet about the contest. “I really haven’t participated in Instagram but I wanted to learn. So thiswas perfect,” she said.