Can You Find Waldo in Barrington?

Where's "Waldo" in Barrington?

Waldo is turning 25 this year and to celebrate, the famous fellow in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 17 different local businesses all through the month of July – a search sponsored by Barrington Books.

If you spot him, you can win prizes, including buttons, books, and more, said Jennifer Massotti, manager of the book store.

Feminine Fancies, Weird Girl Creations, Grapes & Grains, Billy’s restaurant and Zuzu’s are just some of the businesses in Barrington where a 6-inch cardboard cut out of Waldo will be hiding, she said.

Anyone who wants to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo in Barrington” search list with the names of all the businesses, and collect an "I Found Waldo at ___________" card for each Waldo they spot.

Collecting cards in eight or more businesses and turning them in at Barrington Books will win a Waldo button and an entry for other, larger prizes to be drawn at a Waldo party on July 31.

The grand prize is a complete six-volume set of Waldo books. People who prefer a shorter version of the hunt can collect the cards from eight businesses and pick up a Waldo button at Barrington Books, Massotti said.

Waldo, created by Martin Handford, swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over, Massotti said. There are now more than 55 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into 18 languages.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, such as Barrington Books, to have fun and encourage people to visit local businesses.

There is no charge to participate, and the game runs through July. For more information about hunting for Waldo in Barrington, call the book store at (401) 245-7925.