MAP in Medina again offering scavenger hunt in test of local lore

Provided photo: Participants in last year’s scavenger hunt study their clues as they check out a store front on Medina’s Main Street. The Medina Area Partnership will sponsor its third annual scavenger hunt from June through August.

MEDINA – The Medina Area Partnership has announced it will sponsor its third annual Scavenger Hunt from June through August.

Wonderopolis.org defines “scavenger hunt” as a game in which the players – either individually or in teams – compete to see who can obtain the most items from a list.

How hard could that be, sponsors ask.

Well, those who have participated in one of Medina’s past scavenger hunts will know that they’re quite challenging, but above all, fun for family, friends, coworkers or individuals.

Scavenger hunts have been around for a long time, according to Tim Elliott, who came up with the idea, and Ann Fisher-Bale, event coordinator for MAP. There’s even a National Scavenger Hunt Day annually on May 24, they said. According to nationalcalendarday.com, American gossip columnist, author, songwriter and professional hostel Elsa Maxwell is credited with the introduction of the scavenger hunt for use as a part game in the 1930s.

Maxwell’s invention started a craze, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Two years ago Elliott, a MAP member, along with some of his colleagues decided it was time Medina to jump on that bandwagon.

“The two previous scavenger hunts have been a resounding success,” Elliott said. “Both years have far exceeded our expectations. Feedback was great. All the participants really had a lot of fun with the experience, and everyone had a great time exploring and enjoying Medina.”

As in years past, clues are designed to encourage participants to explore various parts of the 14103 zip code, with every clue taking the participant closer to the prize.

“The winner will have the opportunity to choose from a family prize pack or an adult night-out prize pack, each valued at $150,” Elliott said. “You answer as many questions as you can and submit your scavenger hunt forms by Aug. 31 to be entered into a drawing for a prize pack.”

An example of the questions a participant can expect to see would be, “Tick tock, tick tock. What class said time passes?” The answer is the Class of 1966.

That question on last year’s hunt referred to the clock located in the heart of downtown Medina. One of the memorial bricks at its base has this quote on it.

“There’s so much unique and incredible history in Medina,” Elliott said. “Questions have been carefully crafted using much of our history, both old and new, throughout 14103. You’ll actually learn quite a lot.”

There are 20 questions in total, each one leading to a clue. When a participant locates the area of the clue, they are asked an additional question to confirm they’re in the right place.

Three of the questions are designed to be harder. For every correct answer, participants receive a ticket for the prize drawing, and the hard questions earn 10 tickets for the drawing.

To get started, go to the Coffee Pot Café at 114 East Center St. or click here to get a clue sheet for $10. The hunt can be completed in a couple of hours or at the participant’s leisure. Either way, MAP guarantees the participant will have a great time.

“As always, Tim and the entire MAP Events Committee have done an outstanding job creating a fun and challenging hunt,” said MAP’s president, Cindy Robinson. “And one of the best things about this activity is being able to experience all that Medina has to offer – our shops, restaurants, taverns, architecture and history. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with Medina.”