Find Waldo on (or near) Grand Ave

Waldo, from the famous children's book series "Where's Waldo" will be visiting 25 different local businesses along the avenue throughout the month of July as part of the 

FIND WALDO ON (or near) GRAND AVE event.

Where’s Waldo? In St. Paul, of course.  The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July to support the Shop Local movement.  Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more.

From Landmark Center to Pizza Luce, from Wet Paint to Salut, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments.  Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement. 

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local on (or near) Grand Ave!” 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 ten or more sites can bring their passports back to Red Balloon Bookshop to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to entry in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a 6-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo on (or near) Grand Ave, call Red Balloon Bookshop at 651-224-8320, or visit www.redballoonbookshop.com/findwaldo.

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 over 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into eighteen 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 Red Balloon Bookshop here in St. Paul, MN, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.