Where’s Waldo? And who has a truly spooky story to share?

July 2, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti

Two special events at Bridgeside Books involve working with other local businesses this month to hunt for Waldo and tapping community creativity for the store’s annual Spooky Tales event ahead of Halloween. 

Where’s Waldo in Waterbury?

Waldo isn’t large and can hide in so many places. File photo

The Where’s Waldo Waterbury scavenger hunt is on for the month of July with its prize drawing at the end of the month. Twenty-five local businesses and places such as the Waterbury Public Library and the Waterbury History Center are participating.

Game cards listing all of Waldo’s possible hiding spots are available at the bookshop. Players of all ages are invited to look for Waldo around town, collecting stamps as they go. The first 125 cards with 10 stamps or more get their holder a $1 coupon for a Waldo book purchase. Those with 20 or more stamps are entered into the drawing to win a collection of Waldo books worth $140. The prize drawing happens on July 31. 

Looking ahead to the spooky season 

For the third year, Bridgeside Books is asking for submissions for its Spooky Tales storytelling event in October. 

This year’s theme is “Twisted Folklore” with original stories due by Sept. 1. Recommended length is 1,000-3,000 words. 

The challenge from the organizers: “Think mermaids, minotaurs, and myths...but wrong. Twist the fairytales from sweet dreams into haunting nightmares.”

The goal is “spooky” and writers are encouraged to add their own haunting twist to existing fairytales and folklore. Turn familiar, friendly characters “dark and creepy,” they suggest. And while not required, a connection to Vermont in the story is appreciated, they say.
The goal is for the original tales with a “campfire ghost story”-feel to be performed by professional actors in a theatrical setting. Writers of all ages may submit a story. The performance, geared to an adult audience, will be scheduled in mid-October. 

More information about Where’s Waldo Waterbury and Spooky Tales is online at bridgesidebooks.com.