The topic of the contest is the timber rafting/lumbering heritage of the Upper Delaware, dating from the 1760s, when timber rafts floated downstream to provide lumber for the needs of the growing nation — including many of the masts used to build the tall ships to be celebrated at Philadelphia's upcoming Tall Ships Festival, June 25-28.

1. Entries will be accepted in three categories: 12 and under, 13 to 18, and over 18.

2. Both historical fiction and well-researched non-fiction will be accepted.

3. Word limits are 500 (12 and under), 700 (13 to 18) and 1200 (over 18).

4. Judging will be done by Delaware Company members, River Reporter newspaper staff, and current and retired educators. Judging will be blind; that is, names of authors will be stripped from the entries before judging.

5. Awards will be based on historical accuracy and interest as well as literary merit.

6. Entries should be emailed to copyeditor@riverreporter.com by Wednesday, May 27.

7. Winners will be announced in the June 4 edition of The River Reporter.

8. GRAND PRIZE in each category will be two tickets to the Tall Ships Festival in Philadelphia (tallshipsphiladelphia.com), which takes place on June 25 through 28. Other prizes will be:

SECOND PRIZES: Adults: Two tickets to the Delaware Company's History Bus Tour on June 20

Teens: Two tickets to any Main Stage performance at the Forestburgh Playhouse

Children: Four tickets to Forestburgh Playhouse's "Shrek"

THIRD PRIZES:

Adults: Two tour passes to Grey Towers national Historic Site in Milford, PA

Teens: Two tour passes to Grey Towers National Historic site in Milford PA

Children: Family pass to Fort Delaware

The Delaware Company and River Reporter extend thanks to Forestburgh Playhouse and the Grey Towers Heritage Association for donating prizes for the contest.

9. The winning entry in the 18-and-over category will be printed in the fall edition of The River Reporter's Upper Delaware Magazine. Winners in the other categories will be printed on an ad hoc basis in the regular paper.