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Business & Tech

Where's Waldo? In Maplewood of Course

The search begins in July in 20 different local businesses.

Where's Waldo? In Maplewood of course. He's turning 25 this year, and to celebrate, the famous fellow in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 20 different local businesses all through the month of July.

Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, books, and more. From [words] Bookstore at 179 Maplewood Ave to HLS Restaurant at 1859 Springfield Ave, from the Maplewood Theater at 155 Maplewood Ave to The Cupcake Corral at 410 Ridgewood Ave. Waldo is showing up in these local independent businesses. Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo in Maplewood!” search list with the names of all the businesses, and collect an "I Found Waldo at ___________" card for each Waldo they spot.

Collecting cards in 16 or more businesses and turning them in at [words] will win a Waldo button and an entry for other, larger prizes to be drawn at a Waldo party on July 31. The Grand Prize is a complete six-volume set of Waldo books. People who prefer a shorter version of the hunt can collect the cards from eight businesses and pick up a Waldo button at [words].

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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 over 55 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 teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, including [words] Bookstore here in Maplewood, to have fun and encourage people to visit local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the game lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo in Maplewood email [words] at words@wordsmaplewood.com.

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