Tackling the seemingly endless sights and activities in Sarasota County may seem like a daunting task-with its rich history and unlimited beauty, Sarasota is a treasure just waiting to be discovered. There's no longer a need to be overwhelmed-now you really can do it all. The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau just devised a way for visitors to satisfy the beach bums, fine dining aficionados, art connoisseurs and lovers of the great outdoors inside all of us. With Celebrate Sarasota/Hunt for Ice Cream, visitors can now get a taste of a little bit of everything in Sarasota County, including what is arguably the creamiest ice cream in town.
Sarasota County, along with Big Olaf, one of Sarasota's favorite ice cream shops and local haunts, is launching Celebrate Sarasota, an interactive game that can be played from your phone! The celebration of Sarasota (and delicious ice cream) will lead you on a scavenger hunt for some of the county's most endearing attractions. It's like summer camp for the whole family.
How to Play
Stop by the Sarasota Visitors Center to cool down with a free ice cream from Big Olaf and pick up your new friend Olaf, a Big Olaf stick that will accompany you on your journey.
It's easy to play and you have several options for your trek. You can play by phone with a new application or via text. For the old-fashioned hunters, you can even play off a printed copy, which you can pick up while you're at the Visitors Center.
If you're playing by phone, you can download the new SCVNGR app on your iPhone or Android. Once in the app, hit the "Treks" tab and select "Celebrate Sarasota."
If you have a different phone and want to play by text message, text "celebrate" to 728647.
If you have any questions along the way, e-mail support@scvngr.com.
Once you have your scavenger hunt app downloaded, your first step in your text messages or your printed copy in hand, you're ready to begin! The hunt will lead you, Olaf and your friends and family through the highlights of Sarasota County. At each stop, you'll complete a fun and simple challenge. Each completed challenge is worth 2-4 points.
As if the fun and free ice cream aren't enough, there's something extra in it for you! The Sarasota County Convention and Visitors Bureau will do a drawing with the names of people who complete the hunt with the correct answers. The winner will receive a flip cam. Winners will be announced in the end of August.
What You'll Discover
Visitors will have a blast seeing some of Sarasota's greatest claims to fame, but locals that want to celebrate our beautiful county and revisit some favorite spots can join in, too! Start your hunt at the Sarasota Visitors Center (701 N. Tamiami Trail). Your first challenge, "The Ice Cream is on Us" will entail picking up your Olaf on a stick, as well as your complimentary ice cream. Just have someone take your picture!
From there, bring Olaf along for the ride around Sarasota County. There are 20 challenges on the Celebrate Sarasota scavenger hunt, which will take you across Sarasota, as well as Venice, Englewood and North Port. Challenges include bringing Olaf to Siesta Key Beach, which was just named the #2 beach in America in 2010, selecting your favorite exotic bait at the Venice Fishing Pier, exploring the Ringling Museum of Art Grounds and Gardens and dining al fresco. You'll also pose with statues, see pigs in paradise and even visit Jaws. Curious? If you're ready to explore, laugh and have a great adventure, get started! All of the challenges are free. Now if that's not a way to have some summer fun on a budget, we don't know what is!
For more details and to download the SCVNGR phone app, visit http://sarasota.scvngr.com. For more information on Sarasota County and things you might see along the way, visit www.sarasotafl.org.
Happy hunting!
