Pasadena’s downtown area will transform into a sprawling outdoor scavenger hunt Saturday as “Pirates Treasure Hunt” descends on the city, organizers said.
The event, run by the company City Scavenger, revolves around a mobile app and pits teams of two to six people against each other as they tour the area’s landmarks solving puzzles and riddles, Chief Creator and Event Producer Steve Tishman said. The top scoring team will win a $300 cash prize.
Other than strolling the playing area, which covers roughly one square mile, the game does not require physical prowess, organizers said.
“There are no physical challenges at all. So the entire game itself is played through a smartphone app and everything that is done is played through the app itself,” according to Tishman. “The types of challenges they may encounter would be ciphers and puzzles and riddles, along with taking some unique photos and making some creative videos as well.”
In order to encourage social distancing, teams are invited to begin anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and two separate starting locations will be used, Tishman said. “The goal here is to spread people out.”
In addition to the chance at winning some cash, “really, it’s a memory making experience,” Tishman said.
“We’ve gotten some great feedback and reviews from the folks who participated in our events across the country. And they tell us that it is a bonding experience… that they come away with some very fun memories and great laughter that took place during the event. And they all felt a little challenged as well. This is definitely something that’s going to require a little bit of brain power.”
Saturday’s “Pirates Treasure Hunt” is the company’s first visit to Pasadena, and its third in California, having previously held events in San Diego and San Francisco, according to Tishman.
But he added that City Scavenger was hoping to return to Pasadena next year with a superhero-themed game.
Each ticket costs $52.50 and covers an entire team of up to six people, according to City Scavenger. Children under 12 may participate and will not count toward each team’s membership total.
Those interested were urged to purchase tickets prior to midnight on Friday.
More information is available online at thecityscavenger.com/events/
