What's written on the plaques scattered around Historic Downtown? What gems are hidden in MacKay's Cochrane Ice Cream's mural? What are the new businesses in The Quarry?
The answers to these questions and more can be unlocked by those who participate in the Mystery Town Tours scavenger hunt scheduled for May 11.
Media and special guests were given a sneak peak into the event on April 26. Divided into teams the groups were given access to a digital app that provided 23 clues that directed the players to various locations around town to search for answers hidden in plaques, businesses and monuments that Cochranites pass by every day.
The Cochrane Eagle participated and was paired with Heavenly Outhouse and Poor David's owner Karrie Peace and her family. With the first clue in hand this group raced off to an early start and after successfully answering the first clue discovered an important aspect of the game – read the questions carefully. The clever clues vary from the literal to the abstract to asking for answers containing only partial parts of the solution. Skimming or moving too quickly can cost valuable time as the group discovered. Wrong answers add penalty time, as does asking for hints, the solution or skipping questions altogether.
Some questions are simple, others require astute observation skills or test your puzzle solving ability. All in all the scavenger hunt, which combines technology and good old fashioned foot work is a fun event with an added bonus that lends to community building.
During the just over two hours the game requires to play, contestants are taken on a walking tour throughout Historic Downtown and The Quarry which included entering a few local businesses.
As a business owner in Historic Downtown, Peace said that was something she really appreciated about the game.
"It shows the people how close The Quarry is and and makes everything feel really connected," said Peace who is a stalwart shop local advocate.
Mayor Jeff Genung was among the players – and the winning team – commented on the value the game has for creating an awareness about what Cochrane has to offer.
"It was really fun but also I see it's such an economic driver for the community. I didn't realize it was so interactive and driving people into businesses. It's a really good way for people to discover Cochrane," said Genung, who added following the clues gave him the opportunity to visit the Beer Den – where one of the hardest puzzles of the game was located – for the first time.
Louise Green, general manager with Mystery Towns, said the game concept, which began two years ago, started as a product that caters to all types of people and can also be used to promote community business.
"Our most common feedback is 'so much fun,' people love to play it," said Green. "You live somewhere and you don't see it from this direction so you really start to look at things differently.
Helping to change that perception is the clues themselves, which are tailored to Cochrane and contain some impressive details about local history and location that require players to really delve into Cochrane history and sites.
"We pride ourselves in visiting the locations, getting to know them, walking around and talking to the locals and having a really locally-based game that brings people into the community," said Green.
Those who are interested in playing on May 11 can participate with a team or be paired with other singles on the day. Teams start from Centennial Pavilion in Historic Downtown and can begin playing between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Cost is $49 per person and tickets can be purchased at mysterytowntours.com/adventures/cochrane/the-reel-cochrane.
This is one of three styles of games Mystery Towns hopes to bring to Cochrane, depending on demand.
