‘Where’s Waldo?’: Contest ends with party at Merritt Bookstore

millbrook — Waldo was unavailable on Saturday, June 29, but his friend, Wenda, was on hand at a party given at Merritt Bookstore. There were refreshments, giveaways, raffle prizes and a grand prize that included a shopping bag full of Waldo items and gift certificates. Ari Rouse, 6, who lives in Manhattan but summers in Millbrook, won the grand prize.

For those new to the Where’s Waldo contest, Merritt Bookstore offers passports to children wishing to participate. The passport lists local businesses with a likeness of Waldo — his striped shirt, funny hat and big glasses — on display somewhere within their establishment. Upon finding Waldo, the child gets his or her passport “stamped.” 

The goal is to complete the passport. The competition is free and runs the entire month of July, culminating in the Where’s Waldo party at the bookstore.

The children love the search,  confirm their parents. But the competition serves another important purpose. Participants visit stores previously unknown to them. In doing so, the game promotes business for merchants. It’s a win-win.

Just as importantly, young readers are introduced to Waldo and many other characters. They get exposed to books of all sorts. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Where’s Waldo books, which were first released in the late 1980s by author Martin Handford. The quintessential Where’s Waldo consists of a crowded crowd scene, with Waldo hidden somewhere on the page. The goal — to find him among all the confusion. 

Waldo has never lost his popularity, and the books are available worldwide in 30 languages, with more than 67 million copies in print.