Microsoft is giving away a Surface Pro 3 in this 24-hour contest (US only)

Apparently, September 17th is National Backpack Awareness Day in the US. Founded by the American Occupational Therapy Association, it means to raise awareness around how lugging around a heavy backpack could have a negative impact on our health (who would've figured?).

Microsoft has taken the opportunity to point out that the new Surface Pro 3 tablet is a device that is relatively light-weight, yet combines the portability of a tablet with the productivity of a laptop. To celebrate the Backpack Awareness Day, Microsoft is holding a contest, dubbed “Lighten my Load”, with the grand prize being a single unit of its flagship tablet.

In order to enter, one must take a creative picture that illustrates why they need to lighten their load and post it to Facebook and/or Twitter with the hashtags #LightenMyLoad, #SurfacePro3, and #Contest. In order to be eligible, contestants need to like/follow the Surface's page on their social site of choice (linked below). The pictures will be judged by three different criteria, with the final score being determined 25% by originality, 50% by adherence to contest theme, and 25% by composition.

The contest is limited to USA residents only. Of course, there is a certain set of rules to follow. For example – no matter how much the contest's name beckons you to do it – no nude pics. You can read the whole set of guidelines in the source link below.

The contest started in 3 pm CDT on the 17th of September and ends at 3 pm CDT today, so hurry if you want to get in on a chance to win a new Surface Pro3!