Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt?
And when you turn that activity into a countywide event where families can have fun, maybe experience a place they’ve never been and small businesses benefit, it becomes a win-win for everyone.
That's exactly what Leigh Anne Gurka and Keri Arthurton at Harvest Realty Group in Brownsburg, Ind., in conjunction with Angie Turley at Fairway Mortgage, created on the heels of the pandemic back in 2021. About to kick off its fourth year, the Hendricks County Small Business Scavenger Hunt will return during the month of February 2024.
What is the Small Business Scavenger Hunt?
Each year, Gurka tries to find new and existing local businesses within the county to help drive additional foot traffic through their doors just after the holidays.
She gives 15 businesses the opportunity to be part of the event by providing a small donation if they choose that goes toward a grand prize and hopefully a deal or discount during the month to draw scavenger hunt participants into their business.
A couple of the businesses participating and the discounts they will offer to customers who show their card during the month-long event include:
- Nature's Workshop Plus, Danville - 20 percent off purchase
- Brie and Bartlett, Brownsburg - 5 percent off purchase
- Danny's Mexican Ice Cream, Avon - 15 percent off purchase
- Toy Buzz and Fizz, Plainfield - 15 percent off one item
- Singing Crust Bakery, Clayton - 10 percent off purchase
Not every business will offer a discount, but that shouldn't preclude you from going.
Once there, participants get their cards stamped by the business and hopefully purchase something, too, though that isn’t required. Once participants get at least 10 of the 15 businesses stamped on their cards, they can enter to win a grand prize by taking a photo of their completed card and sending it to a specified email address by March 8.
How Do I Get a Card?
People can register online to participate in the scavenger hunt.
Gurka said in past years they've had more than 500 people join in the fun, but there is no limit to the number of people who can participate.
She just asks that you register. You can do that now by clicking on the button below and filling out the information form.
Once registered, you will receive a packet in the mail with information about the scavenger hunt, the participating businesses and the empty punch card.
You then have the entire month, Feb. 1-29, 2024, to visit the businesses and get your card stamped.
Grand Prize
In early March, Gurka will randomly choose a winner from the completed cards sent via email. The winner will receive the grand prize package, which includes numerous gift cards and items from the participating businesses.
There is no cost to participate in the event.
Gurka just wants this event to be a fun way to support locally owned businesses by getting people through their doors.
With a similar mission at Visit Hendricks County, they have found if you can find a way to get people to experience what a local business has to offer, there’s a good chance they will find something they love and a new place where they will return.
