Where’s Waldo signs appear in the windows of many businesses.
Where’s Waldo?
In Ridgefield, of fact.
The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 25 different local businesses throughout town this month.
Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more.
From The Candlelight Shoppe on Main Street to The Little House Shoppe at Copps Hill, from Bissell Pharmacy on Governor Street to the Tusk & Cup in Branchville, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments.
“Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement,” said Ellen Burns of Books on the Common, which carries the Where’s Waldo series.
Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Ridgefield!” passport with the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot.
The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to Books on the Common to collect prizes.
Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle seekers to entry in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.
Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. There are now more than 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into 18 languages.
In celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including Books on the Common, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.
Ms. Burns added, “Find Waldo Local is a way for Ridgefield merchants to work together as a retail community. This is our second ‘Find Waldo,’ and it was such a big success with merchants, kids and parents alike last summer, we thought we should make it an annual event.”
There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July.
For more information about hunting for Waldo in Ridgefield, call Books on the Common at 203-431-9100.