By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – The first First Friday of the year had a Valentine’s Day theme and 15 downtown Wabash businesses took part in the “Searching For Love” scavenger hunt which had participants searching for a red heart in each of the stores. A romantic or inspirational message was inscribed on each heart and those who completed the scavenger hunt form turned it in to win a $300 gift basket filled with goodies from the participating downtown stores.
While First Fridays usually have a map stamp, Friday night’s scavenger hunt was a little different because participants had to look for messages on the hearts in hard to find places usually towards the back of each business. All the owners MiBash News talked to Friday night liked the scavenger hunt idea because it gives those participating the opportunity to check out their inventory. Even more tricky, some businesses, like Bash Boutique, were constantly moving the red heart around so that it was never in the same place for more than a few minutes.
One would think that there would be fewer crowds with temperatures Friday night hovering around freezing, but shortly after 6 pm, Jennifer Long-Dillon of the Visitor’s Center said that they had already seen 40 people come in to get their maps.
Even City Hall got into the swing of things for the very first time, and the Mayor and his wife greeted participants of the scavenger hunt as they walked through the doors. When asked why City Hall was participating, Mayor Scott Long said that we wants to make City Hall a less intimidating place.
Maria Smyth, owner of the Eclectic Shoppe.
Christin Hoppes, Manager of Bash Boutique.
Amy Stearley from Ellen’s Dress and Bridal Boutique.
Stearley also said that the scavenger hunt helps local business because it’s up to the participants to write down the message on the heart which allows the store’s employees to help customers the entire night.