Local Folsom businesses join forces in nationwide annual event celebrating “Shop Local”  during July

It’s long been a common question across the nation for decades, where’s Waldo?  Well rumor has it he is going to be somewhere in Folsom and several Folsom Businesses are asking for your help in finding him.

Celebrating its twelfth anniversary in July 2024, Find Waldo Local has become a beloved summertime event in communities nationwide. This year, Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association are again teaming up with 310 independent bookstores nationwide, including Ruby’s Books in Historic Folsom, for some hide-and-seek fun designed to encourage residents to patronize their local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. 

Families will love joining the scavenger hunt to find the iconic children’s book character, with his red-and-white-striped shirt and black glasses, hidden in twenty-five local businesses, including The Folsom Public Library, The Folsom History Museum, Snooks Candies and Brainy Zoo Toys. Find Waldo Local is a wonderful way to support the Shop Local movement by increasing foot traffic to a variety of stores. 

To join in the fun, people can simply pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Folsom,Ca!” stamp card at any of the participating stores. With each miniature Waldo they spot, searchers get their card stamped by the participating shop. Eagle-eyed hunters can also look for Waldo’s special 2024 gold medal hidden in Ruby’s Books! Collecting store stamps at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers entry into prize drawings for Waldo books and other prizes, including donations from local businesses and $200 cash grand prize. All participants are welcome to attend the celebration party at The Twilight Concert Series at the Zittel Family Amphitheater on August 1st at 7:30pm 

Martin Handford’s collections of crowd scenes took the world by storm in the late 1980s, and since then the books have held a cherished place on bookstore shelves, in family libraries, and in classrooms around the world. More than 80 million Waldo books have been sold worldwide, and they’ve been translated into over thirty languages. 

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Folsom Ca, visit rubysfolsom.com/events/38781 or email info@rubysfolsom.com.