Scavenger hunt includes search for golden eggs

     With Monticello’s annual Easter egg hunts in jeopardy, if not cancelled completely, a new event has emerged to take their place.

     The Monticello Scavenger Hunt involves 97 residential and business locations. Between now and Easter Sunday, April 12, kids are encouraged to look around town for posters, window drawings and artwork. A link to a list of these can be found on the Facebook page Monticello Scavenger Hunter.

     An extra incentive is the Golden Egg Hunt. There are four golden eggs within the city. Those who find all four are asked to write a letter detailing where they found the eggs, and what they have been doing while out of school. They will be eligible for gift certificates and one grand prize, to be drawn on Easter Sunday at 7 p.m.

     Here are the rules:

     • Find all four eggs and make note where you found them.

     • Write a letter and mail it to: Scavenger Hunter, 217 W. Grand St., Monticello, IA 52310.

     • In the letter, indicate what you have been doing during your time away from school, where you found each golden egg, and whether you have searched for other town eggs. Include your name, address and age.

     • Gift certificates will be mailed back to participants for the first 50 letters received, and there will be a drawing for one grand prize on Easter Sunday, April 12, at 7 p.m. Gift certificates include, but are not limited to, the Cone Shoppe, Diamond Pi, Subway, Casey’s and Baked.

     The idea was developed to keep families active during the COVID-19 social distancing time, and also to help kids learn to write a letter with the excitement of receiving one in return.