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The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association has organized a holiday scavenger hunt for Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22. Around 15 local businesses will take part in the scavenger hunt. LOREN BENOIT/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — Dozens of Santa’s helpers will hide throughout downtown Coeur d’Alene during the holiday season, just waiting to be discovered — and to give those who find them a chance to win prizes.
The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association organized the holiday scavenger hunt, getting permission from Santa himself to borrow some of his sneaky “scout elves.”
On Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22, Santa’s elves (of the “Elf on a Shelf” variety) will hide in downtown businesses—behind cups, inside sweaters and in any number of other places.
“It’s a fun time to get out,” said Emily Boyd of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association. “It adds another fun spin on shopping, and it gives you a chance to explore local businesses, as well.”
Around 15 local businesses will take part in the scavenger hunt. Anyone seeking Santa’s scouts can pick up a special passport at participating businesses and get a stamp for each elf they discover. Finding more elves means more entries in prize drawings.
More than 30 gift cards from participating downtown businesses will be awarded.
The two grand prizes are VIP tickets to the Mac & Cheese Festival in January with an overnight stay at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, as well as tickets to a Seattle Seahawks game.
Boyd added that the scavenger hunt is fun for the whole family: While kids search high and low for elves, parents can check a few items off their shopping lists.
“Shopping locally is so important for our community,” she said. “Support your neighbors and your local businesses through the holidays.”
Beth Brown, who owns Mix It Up on Sherman Avenue, said the scavenger hunt is a great reason for families throughout North Idaho to visit Coeur d’Alene.
“Everybody in this community should come to downtown Coeur d’Alene at least one time during the holiday season,” she said. “It’s magical. We have something that people from all over the country want to see.”
Grand prize drawings will take place Dec. 23. Seahawks tickets must be claimed by the winner by 4 p.m. that day.