Talk about a sweet idea.
A local scavenger hunt based on a children’s book and involving some 45 businesses kicks off today in Columbus.
The activity is inspired by the book, “Paletero Man,” by Latin Grammy winning musician and part-time Columbus resident Lucky Diaz. The title in Spanish refers to a street seller of popsicles, ice cream and other treats.
The title also is a popular song for the internationally touring Lucky Band, which includes Diaz and wife Alisha Gaddis, also a singer and children’s book author (who shares his Latin Grammy).
Like the boy in the story, participants will hunt for colorful paletas (pictures) at each location. The hunt will kick off at 11 a.m. at First Friday Story Time outside Viewpoint Books at Sixth and Washington streets. Diaz will make a special appearance to share his book.
Hunt “passports” will be available at Viewpoint Books starting today, and the hunt will continue through Saturday, July 31.
Each paleta poster will have a number and a letter on it. The passport will include space to write the letters into corresponding spaces to create two messages, one for downtown merchants and one for “around town” merchants. Completed messages may be returned to Viewpoint Books by July 31 for entry into a grand prize drawing featuring gifts from many of the participating businesses and partners.
The Bartholomew County Public Library will livestream story time and post on the library’s Facebook pages and also Viewpoint’s Facebook page.
Participating businesses will post a picture of a paleta (provided by Viewpoint Books) in their window or door. Each picture will include a number corresponding to a space in the mystery messages and a letter that will be placed in that space to reveal the message.
Completion of the core message will entitle each participating family to a single entry into the contest, coupons, and other free items. Completion of the second message will entitle them to a second entry.
Participating stores are asked to follow Viewpoint Books on social media and share scavenger hunt posts whenever possible.
Prize winners will be announced on Aug. 3.
