Photo Gallery | A City-Wide Scavenger Hunt on March 23

Submitted by Tenessa Jennings, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013, 9:13am

Forty sites. Fifteen challenges. Three hours on the clock. One famously hot city. What does that all add up to? The Great Columbia Quest!

Historic Columbia Foundation is pleased to offer the second annual Great Columbia Quest, a city-wide scavenger hunt inspired by The Amazing Race. Covering Columbia’s history through the city’s significant sites, the Quest will take place on March 23, 2013 from 9 am to 12 pm. Teams of two will dash around Columbia solving puzzles, scavenging for clues and completing challenges to earn points to win prizes including a $100 cash grand prize.

The goal: Teams of two (ages 10 and up) will compete to earn as many points as possible during the three-hour time frame, competing for a variety of prizes (including a cash prize).

The challenge: To visit a variety of sites throughout Columbia’s downtown district to answer clues and overcome obstacles, all by foot.

The celebration: At the end of the competition, contestants will join Historic Columbia Foundation at a finish line festival at the Robert Mills House and Gardens for drinks, snacks and prizes.

Pop-up challenges will surprise teams, in which case the team must complete the challenge in order to receive the points from that clue. All clues will be located in the area bordered by Bull Street, Harden Street, Blanding Street and Blossom Street.

Example of “Great Columbia Quest” Clue and Pop-Up Challenge:

The Historical Site: The Big Apple

The Clue: Within the walls of this circa-1915 former synagogue-turned-black-nightclub was born a dance craze that swept the nation during the summer of 1937. Visit this unique property to pick up your points.

The On-Site Challenge: Take a quick dance lesson and see if you can master some of the steps from the famous “Big Apple dance” before you can pick up your points.

Registration is $30 per team for Historic Columbia Members and $40 per team for non-members, available via http://hcfgreatquest.eventbrite.com. Prices will increase by $10 after March 8. Day-of registration will be available for $40 per team for Historic Columbia Members and $50 per team for non-members. Please arrive early for day-of registration.

“The Great Columbia Quest is a great way to explore our capital city and discover its hidden treasures,” says Sarah Blackwell, HCF’s director of programs and the mastermind behind this event. “We invite you to bring your competitive spirit and see how well you know Columbia. It’s challenging, it’s educational and it’s a lot of fun!”