Join the Where’s Waldo? scavenger hunt, win prizes

SHERWOOD, Ore. — A real-life game of Where’s Waldo? is returning to Sherwood this summer.

Kids of all ages can join the annual Where’s Waldo? scavenger hunt, organized by Candlewick Press, by visiting local businesses throughout July.

From July 1-31, about 24 local businesses will hide Waldo inside their shops. Participants can find him to collect stamps or signatures on a bingo-style passport available at host store MudPuddles Toys & Books.

Kate Noreen, owner of MudPuddles, said the store distributed 850 passports last year and collected about 200 completed entries that were turned in for prizes.

“I love how this campaign highlights local businesses in our community and encourages people to visit as many as possible in the month of July,” Noreen said. “It’s free, it’s a great way to get our local community to shop local, and it feels good to drive a lot of traffic to all of our small business friends in the area.” 

Participating businesses donate prizes including gift cards, gift baskets and stuffed animals, Noreen said. MudPuddles also holds weekly prize drawings throughout the month.

“It’s fun because we get a group of kids coming in looking for Waldo in our business,” Noreen said.

Some participants complete the hunt in a single day, while others spread it out over the month, she said.

“I've seen babysitters and nannies take the kids out. It gives them something free to do,” Noreen said. “We're a nice little self-contained community, but it also does get people out of the house and go see and visit places that they've never been before.”

MudPuddles changes Waldo’s hiding place each week, and at the end of the month participants vote on which business had the most challenging hiding spot.

“We make a fun game of it if they need a hint: you’re getting warmer, you’re getting colder,” Noreen said.

The scavenger hunt also attracts visitors from outside Sherwood, even though MudPuddles is one of roughly 300 participating locations nationwide.

“It kind of puts Sherwood on the map for people coming over, because we've had people from Tigard, Wilsonville, or Newberg come over and participate, and it brings them into Sherwood and lets them find some of the unique small businesses in our area,” Noreen said.

Participants who collect 10 stamps earn a Waldo poster. Those who collect 20 stamps receive a poster, a MudPuddles buck (a certificate worth $1 at MudPuddles) and entry into a drawing for a Waldo book and prizes from participating businesses. A 25-stamp blackout earns a poster, a $5 MudPuddles gift card and a drawing entry. Winners are scheduled to be announced Saturday, Aug. 1.

“I love my local business community — this gives us a chance to be cheerleaders for all the business owners in this area,” Noreen said. “I just want (players) to discover a new place they’ve never been.”