The Game’s Afoot!
Extra-special shameless self-promotional post!
Egad, old chums, Professor Moriarty has stolen a private letter from among the papers of Her Majesty Queen Victoria! Were its contents to become public, the results could bring the British Empire to its knees!
HRH has engaged the services of Mr. Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street, but the case is too dire for even the world’s foremost consulting detective: he needs your assistance! For Britannia!
DATE: Saturday, 28 June, 1889 – er, 2008
TIME: Hunt begins at NOON – late teams will receive their clues at the time they arrive
PLACE: Jack Purcell Park – see directions at the bottom of the post
WHO: You! And anyone you know who seems like they might be interested/is totally into treasure hunts/loves dressing up in public. All ages welcome.
COST: There will be an entry fee of $20 per team. Unfortunately, I can’t give clues to any team until it has paid its fee. Because this is my “show” hunt, the entry fee is an EXTRA-SPECIAL OFFER and *NOT* my normal pricing! (Please note that if you RSVP as an individual, it is therefore a good idea to bring $20 yourself just in case the team to which you get assigned forgot about its fee/lost its wallets/etc.)
RSVP: By email or by comment by midnight on May 31, 2008. If you have a team, only the team captain need RSVP for all team members.
Mr. Holmes has informed me that there will be a PRIZE for the team that recovers the letter, as well as for those who demonstrate the most ELABORATE and most CREATIVE Victorian spirit. Teams are encouraged to dress as any person, place, concept, or thing (fictional or otherwise) associated with the Victorian or Edwardian period. Please remember that costumes must nevertheless be politically appropriate for the twenty-first century.
As the search will be confined to a particular area of downtown Ottawa, this will be a WALKING investigation; during the hunt, NO MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION of any kind will be required or permitted. (This rule will be waived for those with extenuating circumstances – email me if you think this may apply to you.) Non-motorized transportation such as bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, penny-farthings, and horses are all fair game, within the limits of municipal by-laws. In the interest of fairness to those from out of town and suburbia, entrance into ANY private residence (including but not limited to those of the participants) will also be prohibited.
Afterwards, everyone is invited to dinner at 7pm at a restaurant to be announced (it will be either downtown or on the 95 route; price range will be no more than ~$15/meal, and there will be vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options.) Please let me know numbers for dinner when you RSVP.
Out-of-town guests, please let me know if you need help finding accommodation.
Hope to see you there!
Yours,
Inspector S. R. Kriger, Scotland Yard
*** You can keep track of future events and services through Facebook, Livejournal, and on MySpace (forthcoming – but feel free to friend me at http://www.myspace.com/srkriger) as well as the official company website. During the hunt, I’ll give you some of my business cards in case people want to know what the heck you’re up to, but it’s up to you whether you want to hand them out. Thanks!***
EACH PERSON NEEDS:
– money (for entry fee, dinner, and/or sundries)
– weather-appropriate gear (eg sunscreen, raincoat, etc.)
– comfortable shoes
– water
– snacks
– COSTUME!!!
EACH TEAM NEEDS:
– a TEAM CAPTAIN
– at least 2 team members. While there’s no maximum team size, it’s recommended that you cap your team around 7 or 8. 4-6 is an ideal team size
– a CELL PHONE by which the team can be contacted in case of emergency and/or someone else winning before you (which may be an emergency, depending on your point of view)
– MONEY – $20 entry fee
TIPS:
– The most successful teams last year were the ones willing to phone non-participating friends, other teams, and the organizer for help.
– This year, the hunt is designed to encourage inter-team cooperation – or, rather, negotiation, since there can be ONLY ONE winner.
DIRECTIONS TO JACK PURCELL PARK:
By OC Transpo: (recommended) Take the 95 to Metcalfe. Walk south on Metcalfe (ie downhill) for about 10 minutes until you get to Lewis St. Turn left, and cross the parking lot to the playstructure. Wait. (You can also get there by taking the 15 bus, but it’s probably quicker to take the Transitway and walk)
By car: Get yourself to the 417. Get off at Metcalfe. Go north on Metcalfe until you hit Lewis St. Find somewhere nearby to park. (The parking lot is private property of Elgin St. School.) The park is on your right at Metcalfe and Lewis. There are playstructures. Or, get the City of Ottawa’s web instructions for Jack Purcell Community Centre.