Surely by now you know why September 20, 21 & 22 are important. But, on the off chance that you have been hibernating all summer, I’ll fill you in: that is the weekend of Old Town’s annual Scavenger Hunt! You have a chance to win up to $3,700 in gift cards to all your favorite stores in the ‘hood. Crazy, right? All you have to do is print out your passport here and spend your weekend visiting all of our stores (37 total), getting a stamp or sticker at each one. No need to make a purchase to qualify for the prizes! If you are one of the first 200 to make it to the end, you will get a killer swag bag and be entered to win one of over 50 prizes. More details on and the rules for this event can be found onthe event page.
If you’ve never participated in our Scavenger Hunt before, there are a few survival skills I feel it is my duty to share with you. As someone who made the trek around Old Town every year before working with Old Town Boutique District, I have a few suggestions that might make the weekend even more fun. I also asked our Facebook fans if they had any suggestions. So, take note:
1. Be mindful of store hours. The first year I took on the Scavenger Hunt challenge, I woke up early and left for Old Town with my map in hand and my plan in mind. I failed to realize, however, that not all stores open at 10, which messed with my predetermined route. When you’re mapping out your strategy beforehand, you might take into consideration the store hours–both when they open and when they close.
2. Pace yourself–don’t try to do it in one day. This was the suggestion of one of our Facebook fans, and truthfully, I’ve done it both ways. It depends entirely on how much time you can spend on this event. If you have the time, take the weekend. Spend time in each store, getting to know the store owners and the merchandise. Take a break for lunch and a late-afternoon drink. Perhaps visit an art gallery or two. Of course, this event is about the available prizes but it’s also about getting to know your city. If you don’t have the time to pace yourself, strategize and conquer in one day–the swag bags are worth it.
3. Plan your refreshment stops as carefully as you plan your route. Another Facebook fan favorite and I happen to agree. I generally start with brunch at Union Street Pub, a quick mid-afternoon caffeine refueling at Misha’s and drinks at Jackson 20 but it entirely depends on the route you take.
4. Look cute, be practical. This event is not appropriate for your highest heels and complicated layers. The weather generally cooperates in late September but wear your most comfortable ballet flats and a dress with a cardigan. Anything more and you’ll just end up being annoyed and in pain.
5. End at Periwinkle. All of our swag bags are located at Periwinkle which is unfortunately not on the main King Street strip in Old Town. It is definitely walkable but you will want to determine beforehand whether it’s worth taking the bus or driving. In order to receive your swag bag and qualify for the grand prizes, you must end your hunt at Periwinkle and turn in your passport with your contact information. Without contact information, we can’t get a hold of you if you win!
I plan on participating again this year just for fun, so hopefully I see you out there. If you have any tips to share that I may have missed, feel free to share in the comments!
