Find Waldo in Wadena, support local businesses
Where's Waldo? In Wadena, of course. The famous children's book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more. From Kal's Kars at 1000 Jefferson Street North to Over The Rainbow at 123 1st Street SW, from Caring Heart Boutique at 415 Jefferson Street North to Smith Furniture at 302 Jefferson Street South, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments. Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement.
Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a "Find Waldo Local in Wadena!" passport with the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. The first 125 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at 10 or more sites can bring their passports back to An Open Book to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers entry into 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 the late eighties. Since then, the Where's Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now over 63 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they've been translated into over 30 languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.
In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, including An Open Book here in Wadena, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July.
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For more information about hunting for Waldo and Woof in Wadena, call An Open Book at (218) 632-2665.
Historic Carnival at Wadena County Museum June 19
The 2nd Annual Historic Carnival will be held during Wadena's June Jubilee on Friday, June 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wadena County Museum. The afternoon includes horse and carriage rides, a stilt walker, kids games, re-enactors and musical performances by the Tubador. The afternoon also includes an antique carriage display and delicious fry bread. This year there will be new activities both inside and outside the museum including a Dakota Interpretive program in the Native American room of the museum plus Cherokee and Ojibway storytelling. Also new this year is an exciting collaboration with Madhatter's Community Theater who will portray a variety of historical figures at the Carnival. The Historic Carnival is sponsored by the Wadena County Historical Society and is free and open to the public.
