Itty Bitty Salt Lake City winners announced

Scott and Michelle Cloward have been participating in our Itty Bitty Salt Lake City contest for more than a decade, so long that the son they used to push in a stroller as they looked for clues is now getting ready to drive.

Bev Richardson's youngest son was 14 when they both began doing the contest; now he's 33 and bringing along his own daughter.

Congratulations to all of you, veterans and newcomers alike, who were able to correctly match this year's clues — photos of tiny fragments of architecture, signage and other landmarks — with the real thing in a 20-block area between South Temple and 400 South, 300 East and 200 West.

Some of you complained that our 17th annual Itty Bitty Salt Lake City was too easy compared to past contests. Hmmmm. Should we make Itty Bitty harder in 2010? Let us know.

"It was almost a little disappointing to finish so soon since we look forward to spending much of our extra time every September downtown!" wrote Sterling and Melanie Crockett of Salt Lake City.

But online comments as the three-week contest proceeded showed that participants still struggled a little, especially with clue No. 2, that knotty tree bark. Online comments also showed that some contestants helped each other out with hints, and other contestants resented this camaraderie.

Let us know what you think about that, too.

This year's winners, chosen at random from correct entries:

First prize ($100 gift certificate to Flemings Prime Steakhouse and two tickets and hospitality passes to the University of Utah vs. New Mexico football game): Dee Hunsaker, Magna.

Second prize ($30 gift certificate to Gastronomy, $50 gift certificate to FANZZ, a Megaplex Double Mug Package): JoAnn and Neldon Jensen, Cottonwood Heights.

Third prize ($50 gift certificate to Canyon Sports): Allen and Kristie Sowards family, Salt Lake City.

Fourth prize (two tickets to Hale Center Theatre's "Christmas Carol"): Jeff Allison, American Fork.

Fifth prize (Megaplex Double Mug Package): Scott and Liz Nelsen, Salt Lake City.

Itty Bitty Salt Lake City 2009 answers:

1. chair sculpture: outside Hotel Monaco, 200 South near State Street

2. tree trunk: in parking strip outside Briar Arm Apartments, 335 S. 200 East