While the trees are in bloom, the days are getting longer, and the sun’s rays are increasing their warmth, for many people in the United States summer does not truly begin until July 4^th, Independence Day. Whether you celebrate it with fireworks, at a cookout, or by marching in your town’s parade, we are celebrating the stars and stripes a bit early this year, and we have a great reason: we’re partnering with @visitphilly to send one winner and a friend to celebrate America’s 239^th birthday in America’s birthplace.

Philadelphia’s place in July 4^th history starts at the very beginning, since the Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776 at Independence Hall. The home of the Liberty Bell, it’s a city that waves the stars and stripes proudly. For this week’s Instagram Challenge, we want you to share your #PPStarsAndStripes pride and get creative with images of stars and stripes; Philadelphia; or red, white, and blue. We’ll be joined by local guest judges @billycress and @kellysmithphoto.

One winner will choose a friend and head to Philadelphia for the holiday weekend, complete with round-trip airfare or train tickets, three nights at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, museum and restaurant gift cards, and the chance to watch the city’s gorgeous fireworks displays.

For additional terms and conditions that apply to this challenge, see here.

Visit Philadelphia® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area. On their official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools.