Find Waldo in Durham to Support Durham’s Shop Local Movement

Where's Waldo? In Durham, of course!

The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting over twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons, gift certificates to local businesses, t-shirts, and more. Waldo figurines will be hidden in local establishments all over town – from Bean Traders to Durham Garden Center to One World Market to Cocoa Cinnamon to Duke Homestead to the Durham Arts Council to the Durham Public Libraries and beyond. Co-presented by the Regulator Bookshop and Sustain-a-Bull, Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and Durham’s Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Durham!” passport at the Regulator Bookshop from June 25 on, with the names of all the participating sites. Then, starting on July 1, visit participating businesses and get your passport stamped or signed for each Waldo you spot! The first 100 Waldo-seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to the Regulator Bookshop to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to entry in prize drawings at our wrap party on July 31, where they could win Waldo books, gift certificates to local stores, t-shirts, or our grand prize – a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of the Durham News.

Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now over 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into eighteen languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including the Regulator here in Durham, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.  There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo in Durham, visit the Sustain-a-Bull website.

Learn more about local businesses in Durham.