(Hamilton, NY – June 2015) Where’s Waldo? In Hamilton, NY of course. The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 23 different local businesses throughout the community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more.
From the Colgate Bookstore at 3 Utica St. to the Hamilton Public Library at 13 Broad St., from Parry’s at 100 Utica St. to Oliveri’s Pizzeria at 14 Lebonan St. Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments. Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity, and a 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 Hamilton!” 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 the Colgate Bookstore to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle seekers entry into a grand prize drawing on July 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. with the top prize being a 6-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 1980s. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now more than 63 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into more than 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 the Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton, 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.
For more information about hunting for Waldo and Woof in Hamilton, call the Colgate Bookstore at 315-228-7480.