Where’s Waldo? Check in Woodstock during themed scavenger hunt

A “Where’s Waldo” scavenger hunt is coming back to Woodstock starting Monday and running through the month of July.

Read Between the Lynes in downtown Woodstock is one of more than 300 independent bookstores nationwide that are teaming up with Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association to have localized Waldo-themed adventures, according to a release from the bookstore.

Participants don’t have to pay to play and can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Woodstock” card at any one of over two dozen participating local Woodstock businesses. If players see a mini-Waldo inside one of the stores, they can get their card stamped or signed. If people get over 20 stamps or signatures, they can enter a drawing for Waldo books and other prizes, according to the release.

There is also a gold medal inside the bookstore as part of the hunt, which isn’t officially tied to the Olympics. In April, a new Waldo book called “Where’s Waldo? The Great Games Speed Search” came out, which has a bit of an Olympic theme, Kaitlyn Reed, the bookstore’s assistant manager, said. Candlewick Press was the publisher of the new Waldo read.

“We’re running with it too,” Reed said, adding the bookstore is encouraging people to “go for the gold” and hit up all 26 stores participating.

The scavenger hunt concludes July 31 with a celebration party and grand prize drawing at 3 p.m. that day at Read Between the Lynes. People can play in the scavenger hunt until then. Waldo himself will be in attendance.

“Both local business owners and Find Waldo Local participants have shared with us just how much they enjoy taking part in the search! We are so excited to bring this program to Woodstock once again!” Arlene Lynes, owner of Read Between The Lynes, said in the release.

There is a list of participating businesses on the Read Between the Lynes website, which includes:

• Anime and Things, 109 E. Van Buren St.
• Apple Creek Flowers, 207 N. Throop St.
• Artisans on Main, 220 Main St.
• The Backdrop, 106 Cass St.
• Black Oak Home & Haven Co., 248 N. Throop St.
• Blue Thistle, 113 S. Benton St.
• Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
• Down 2 Earth, 107 E. Van Buren St.
• The Green Spot, 110 S. Johnson St., Suite 104
• GriffoNest Games, 124 Cass Street, Suite 2
• Grove House Market, 105 E. Judd St.
• Hattie & Myrt, 100 N. Benton St., Suite A
• The Market by D&A, 107 N. Jefferson St.
• Material Things Artisan Market, 103 E. Van Buren St.
• MD Trains, 130 Cass St.
• Millie’s Michoacana, 116 N. Benton St.
• Needful Things, 114 W. Calhoun St.
• The Peacock Shoppe, 120 N. Benton St.
• Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
• The Records Department, 216 Main St.
• Rocket Fizz, 101 S. Benton St., Suite 2
• Sewing Concepts, 110 S. Johnson St.
• Studio D Jewelers, 118 N. Benton St.
• The Thoughtfulness Shop, 104 Cass St.
• Warp Corps, 114 N. Benton St.
• Woodstock Visitor Center, 101 N. Johnson St., Unit 1A