The 2016 History Hunt, hosted by Merrill Historical Society, will be held April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, with check-in any time between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Registration forms are available at Merrill History & Culture Center, 100 E. Third St., or at the Society website www.merrillhistory.org.
This year the History Hunt centers around a fantasy crime, “The Anatine Case.” To add authenticity, Tom Burg, one of the event’s masterminds and a retired FBI Special Agent, has written the crime scenario as teletype messages which will be sent to the teams of History Hunters throughout the day from the legendary and imaginary Detective Dirk Drake, of the Merrill Historical Society Bureau of Investigation.
The suspects in the imaginary crime will be tracked over about 50 miles in and around Merrill, through the woods and along the river banks. Hunters will discover interesting bits of local history and possibly get their feet wet.
“To be sure all our teams of hunters have the latest information, this year we are requiring that at least one team member have a smartphone with a Facebook account,” says Jane Francoeur, the event’s other mastermind. “Detective Drake’s faithful sidekick, Bill, will be sending out updates through the Merrill History & Culture Facebook page every 45 minutes during the Hunt.”
To participate in the History Hunt you will need to be part of a team. Each team must consist of at least two members. The maximum team size is the number who can legally fit into your team vehicle. Each team member must fill out a registration form and sign the waiver included with the form. Registration includes all materials needed to track the suspects and admission to the After Party where the crime will be solved and all prizes awarded.
“We have outstanding prizes provided by our participating sponsors,” says Burg. “There are also prizes for Best Team Costume, Best Team Name, and Best Team Vehicle.”
“The History Hunt is not a race,” Francoeur reminds. “You can choose your speed based on the desires of the people on your team. Many of the places on the Hunt are quite interesting, which is why we encourage the Hunters to enjoy the Hunt at a slower pace.”
Early Bird registration of $10 for each team member is now through April 9. After April 9 the standard registration of $15 is in effect.
The 2016 History Hunt is one of the major fundraising activities which support the programs and operations of Merrill Historical Society.
The Merrill Historical Society’s mission is to educate the public about our heritage using the unique historical and cultural resources we collect and preserve. For further information on the programs and activities of the Merrill Historical Society, or to become a member, please contact the Society at 715-536-5652 or [email protected], or see the website at www.merrillhistory.org.