Find Waldo in Downtown Asheville!

 

Elusive book character creates summertime fun to support the shop local movement

Newly added challenge for searchers and dog lovers alike in 2014; Waldo's faithful dog Woof joins the hunt.

Where's Waldo? In Downtown Asheville 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 The Chocolate Fetish at 36 Haywood St. to Battery Park Book Exchange at 1 Page Avenue, from Downtown Books and News at 67 N. Lexington Ave. to Papoose Children's Clothing at 21 Battery Park Ave., Waldo and newly added for 2014, faithful dog Woof, 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.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a "Find Waldo Local in Downtown Asheville!" 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 Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to enter in a grand prize drawing on July 31, 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 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.

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 Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe here in Downtown Asheville, 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 Downtown Asheville, call Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe at 828-254-6734.