2025 Reel Lake County Challenge Winners Announced

By: Jonathan Jones 10/21/2025

Visit Lake County ran an incentive encouraging locals and visitors alike to captured the region's charm in the Reel Lake County Challenge, a video contest open from July 1-August 31 during our Lake County Road Trips summer campaign. 

Participants were urged to showcase attractions, restaurants, outdoor recreation and more using a provided checklist as inspiration. The top entry had the choice of taking home a $300 VISA gift card or an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois in Gurnee. The runner-up would receive the remaining prize. 

We were stunned by the talented amateur to professional content creators/influencers who submitted to this contest. 

Participants were able to submit their video reels directly to our CrowdRiff collector. Whether it was showcasing Illinois Route 21, U.S. Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S. Route 12, the submissions all around were exceptional. Before we get into the winners, here are a few honorable mentions. Everyone's work was incredibly creative, and we appreciate everyone who participated. 

Reel Lake County Challenge Honorable Mentions

By Natalie Bielski at Independence Grove Forest Preserve and Beer Garden in Libertyville.

By Jhordin Andell at various Lake County Forest Preserves and parks in the land of lakes. Andell has also been a participant in various Lake County Restaurant Weeks and Flavor Festivals over the years.

By Karla Demopoulos at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago in Gurnee. Demopoulos was the 2024 Video winner in the #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest.

Reel Lake County Challenge RUnner-up

By Laura Raffin at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Heron Creek Forest Preserve in Lake Zurich, Reed Turner Woodland in Long Grove and Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Reel Lake County Challenge Winner

By Carolyn Lvoff at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, That Little French Guy in Highland Park, Lambs Farm in the Green Oaks/Libertyville area, Dunn Museum in Libertyville, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort as well as its properties Crane's Landing Golf Course and Marriott Theatre and Ravinia Festival in Highland Park.

Lights, Camera, Action. That's all, folks! Thanks again to all for participating! We hope to see you out there and submitting in next year's installment!

For more things to do in the land of lakes, continue here. Click here to view our 2025 #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest winners.