FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley Tucker
Historic Columbia Foundation
803.252.7742 ext. 16, atucker@historiccolumbia.org
Columbia, SC (April 17, 2012) – 60 downtown sites. Pop-up challenges. Scavenger hunt-style. By foot, bike or car. 3 hours on the clock. How well do you know your “famously hot” city? Young professionals. Families. Friends. Colleagues. Competitors. History enthusiasts. Historic Columbia Foundation is looking for YOU to join them for The Great Columbia Quest & Contest coming up this Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10 am – 1 pm.
Not as physically demanding as a Mud Run but just as much fun, the Great Columbia Quest and Contest is Columbia’s first-ever citywide scavenger hunt (inspired by The Amazing Race) with a focus on history. The event kicks off on the grounds of the Hampton-Preston Mansion at 1615 Blanding Street.
The goal: Teams of two will compete by foot, bike or car to earn as many points as possible during the three hour time frame, competing for a variety of prizes in several categories (including a $100 cash prize).
The challenge: To visit a variety of sites throughout Columbia’s downtown district to answer clues and overcome obstacles. Pop-up challenges will surprise teams, in which case the team must complete the challenge in order to receive the points from that clue. All clues will be located within the following parameters: east/west between the river and Harden Street and north/south between Gervais Street and Sunset Boulevard.
The celebration: At the end of the three hours, contestants will join Historic Columbia Foundation at a finish line festival at the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Garden for drinks, snacks and prizes.
Example of “Great Columbia Quest” Clues:
Built in 1907 for a Wholesale Fruit and Produce this building percolates with history. (Answer: 827-831 Gervais, Starbucks building)
This former Ford dealership was built along Columbia’s “Automobile Row” in 1919 and still carries the name of its original owner. (Answer: DuPre Building)
Register online at http://greatcolumbiaquest.eventbrite.com or by completing the registration form at http://www.historiccolumbia.org and mailing to 1601 Richland Street. Registration is $40 per team of two for Historic Columbia Members and $50 per team of two for non-members. Cost includes t-shirt and post-Quest celebration. Day-of registration will be available for $50 per team for Historic Columbia Members and $60 per team for non-members. Please arrive early for day-of registration.
About the Quest, Robin Waites, Executive Director of Historic Columbia Foundation says, “Explore our capital city and discover her hidden historical treasures during our first-of-its-kind event.” She goes on to say, “Teams will be challenged and energized as they make their way around downtown Columbia, earning points towards a variety of prizes.”
Historic Columbia Foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of preservationists determined to save the Ainsley Hall House, known today as the Robert Mills House. More than five decades later, Historic Columbia Foundation manages four historic house museums and their associated artifacts, and tells the stories of people, places and progress in Columbia and Richland County. For more information, please visit http://www.historiccolumbia.org.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/histcolumbia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/historiccolumbia
Web: http://www.historiccolumbia.org
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/discoverhistory
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