Where’s Waldo? At The Landing in Renton, of course.
The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs and his dog Woof are visiting 24 local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more.
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 the University Book Store at The Landing in Renton, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.
Other businesses at The Landing that will be hiding Waldo and, newly added for 2014, faithful dog Woof, include Creative Mom Toys, Sport Clips, c’est la Vie, to Danner Boots and Gyros House.
Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local” passport with the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. Passports are available at the University Book Store or any participating merchant.
The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to the University Book Store to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to enter in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.
The festivities will culminate with a party at University Book Store at 2 p.m. July 31 that will include a meet and greet with Waldo, activities and refreshments.
Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement. There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo and Woof at The Landing in Renton, call the University Book Store at (425) 988-2812.
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 61 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.
