All Local, All The Time

Niwot's March event looking lucky

As we eagerly await the official start of spring, there's plenty to look forward to in Niwot during March.

Starting March 1, and continuing all month, visitors to Niwot can participate in a St. Patrick's Day-inspired virtual scavenger hunt. This festive activity, sponsored by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), will send players on a quest to find the lucky leprechauns hidden around town.

Owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF) and recent Left Hand Laurel recipient recipient Deborah Read Fowler said the idea was inspired by a need in the community for people to connect through safe and socially distanced events.

DRF Real Estate is sponsoring the prizes for the hunt and Read Fowler's personal assistant, Rosie Mientka, is doing much of the legwork to get the scavenger hunt set up, including placing an undisclosed number of little leprechauns all around town. If you happen to spot these little guys tucked in secret spots, be sure to leave them where you find them.

Inspired by a similar virtual scavenger hunt hosted in Loveland, Read Fowler and Mientka connected with Chris Bierdeman, Tourism Group Sales Coordinator of the City of Loveland, to learn the ins and outs of how to host this type of event. To participate, players simply download the free EVENTZEE app and set up an account to join in on the fun.

"We wanted to keep it really open and available to anyone. Anyone who has a smartphone can participate," said Mientka.

Unlike previous passport events, the scavenger hunt will allow multiple members in the same household to participate, and anyone who completes all the scavenger hunt challenges will be entered to win the grand prize - a $100 gift certificate to 1914 House. Additional prizes to be given out by random drawing to participants who complete all the challenges include a $50 gift card to the Niwot Tavern, a $25 gift card to Niwot Market, and a $10 gift card to Old Oak Coffee House.

All participants who complete the scavenger hunt will be able to claim a fun finisher's prize at Niwot Wheel Works during regular business hours through March 31. While participants can play at any time, Mientka recommends heading out during business hours as some of the challenges will require stopping off at the local businesses.

Read Fowler said the idea of a scavenger hunt is a fun twist on the passport events that the NBA has sponsored in the past. They hope to have between 300-500 hunters throughout the month. Read Fowler said she sees the event as a way to help connect visitors to the local Niwot businesses and the broader Niwot community through the fun of the scavenger hunt.

"It's so important for people to connect even in the pandemic. All the businesses are really happy that Deb has been hosting these events," said Mientka.

Even with all the challenges of COVID-19, Read Fowler said the LID reported that retail sales figures have been positive for November and December, an encouraging sign for local businesses even in light of the pandemic. February's Love Niwot Walk had about 78 participants with 12 people returning their passports for entry into the grand prize drawing.

"It's definitely been a team effort. Businesses have been great at coming up with ideas for their specific business," said Mientka.

And the socially distanced scavenger hunt isn't the only thing to look forward to in March. On March 13, the LID and NBA are also sponsoring Lucky Niwot Day. This family-friendly event will run from 12-4 pm with events all around downtown Niwot and Cottonwood Square. Events will be socially distanced for safety.

The day will include live music and pop-up vendors around town. Children can stop by DRF Real Estate at 1 p.m. to get decked out in an Irish hat and other festive attire before taking a lucky walk with the Leprechaun Fairy. Activities include Irish dancing at Seven Wealth, carriage rides with a leprechaun driver, and a poetry reading at Inkberry Books.

The local fare will also get an Irish twist for the day, and visitors can sample everything from corned beef and cabbage at the Niwot Tavern, to a Lucky Clover Peppermint Frappe at Winot Coffeeshop, to a Finnegan's Wake Cocktail at Niwot Wheel Works, just a few of the options you'll be able to find around town.

Lucky Niwot Day promises to have a little something for everyone. So if you're feeling lucky, be sure to save the date on your calendar.

For more information on the Quest to Find the Little Leprechauns scavenger hunt or Lucky Niwot Day, visit www.niwot.com.

 

Reader Comments(0)