OkotoksOnline/Harrison O'Nyons
The Find Waldo in Okotoks challenge has returned for another summer of local fun.
Launched in 2012 by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association, Find Waldo Local invites bookstores and local businesses to hide small cutouts of the iconic children's book character for people to find.
In Okotoks, the event is organized by Yooneek Books, which first hosted the July-long scavenger hunt in 2023. It quickly became a hit and returned last year.
"We actually see a lot of grandparents doing it with their grandchildren, either showcasing their town or getting to see the community their grandchildren live in," said Yooneek Books co-owner Rae-Lynne Byerley. "As I was dropping cards off to businesses, they were already saying lots of people are asking, like, 'When does it start? When does it start?' So it seems to be very well received and really enjoyed by the community."
This year, 21 local businesses are participating; some for the first time, and others returning for their second or third year.
All but one of the businesses will have a Waldo cutout hidden somewhere inside. At Yooneek Books, searchers will instead be looking for Waldo’s striped magnifying glass.
Each business also has Find Waldo cards, which display the logos of all 21 participating locations. Participants collect a stamp or signature from each business where they find Waldo.
The first 125 searchers who find Waldo at 10 different businesses can return their card to Yooneek for a sticker. Those who find him at 18 or more locations are entered into a prize draw.
Byerley said the challenge has helped locals discover businesses they hadn’t visited before.
"We've heard that before, where people don’t realize some of the businesses that are downtown. So, this just gives them a chance to explore. I know the Okotoks Museum jumps on board every year because a lot of people don’t realize what the museum has to offer."
The event runs through the end of July, giving locals plenty of time to join the search.