There’s Waldo! Here he is on a picture book shelf at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, WA.
For many communities, the Where’s Waldo? July hunt through neighborhood businesses (organized by independent bookstores) is an annual summer tradition. Waldo hunters find a standee of the internationally-famous seek-and-find books character [aka “Wally,” “Willie,” “Holger”. . . ] at every participating location in their communities to earn prizes. Many bookstores host a Waldo party to distribute prizes and wrap up all the fun.
Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, WA had gorgeous weather and a wonderful turnout for their Waldo party this week. Guests had found Waldo at 35 locations, including City Hall. To celebrate, popcorn and pizza for all!
The cake from BookPeople of Moscow’s celebration
BookPeople of Moscow in Moscow, ID also had perfect summer weather for their celebration. Store owner Carol Price wrote on the store’s social media, “We hit the sweet spot for our Waldo Party today. A great group of families, excited kids, a delicious cake from the Moscow Food Co-op, enough prizes for everyone who attended, and nice weather that allowed us to eat our cake and drink our lemonade and do the prize drawing outside the store.”
Nope, nope, ye–nope, nope… Finding Waldo is difficult when so many decoys are in the room! Edmonds Bookshop knows how to dress for a Waldo party.
At the Edmonds Bookshop in downtown Edmonds, WA, there was a packed store for the Waldo party. These events are for the kids, but it’s pretty clear the big kids were having tons of fun, too, with their themed outfits and nametags that made everyone’s name start with W.
Inside the store at the Edmonds Bookshop Waldo party
Just look at that scene from the party– it’s like a live version of a Waldo book! The banners, the streamers, the not-quite Waldo-stripe hat in the foreground, and Waldo himself hiding in plain sight face-out in a book display. Well-played, Edmonds Bookshop, well-played.
The cake from Edmonds Bookshop’s celebration
Did your community do a Waldo hunt this year, or did you participate in one on your travels?
