Where’s Waldo? In downtown Salisbury, of course. The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 18 different local businesses throughout the community in July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more.
From Critters, to Just The Thing, to Zinc Girls, to Bible Book Store, and many places in between, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments. Find Waldo is being hailed as a great summer vacation activity and a way for residents to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement.
Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Downtown Salisbury!” 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 10 or more sites can bring their passports back to the Literary BookPost to collect prizes.
Collecting store stamps or signatures at all 18 participating merchants 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. Mayor Paul Woodson will oversee the festivities at the Literary BookPost.
Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now more than 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into 18 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 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including The Literary BookPost, 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 in downtown Salisbury, call the Literary BookPost at 704-763-0465.