WAFO GO – an online educational and recreational scavenger hunt game uncovering many of the historic facts, plaques, and places across Downtown – is now available to play on your mobile device.
Designed by the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership under the leadership of Process Management Specialist Kevin King, this mobile-friendly game features 10 locations starting along Holding Avenue at The Wake Forest Public Library and then moves down White Street through Downtown Wake Forest. Guided by the trusty and good-natured four-legged friend- Toby, players are taken on a short, fun, and informative journey through Downtown.
King and his family arrived in Wake Forest about 18 months ago and, like so many others, found the community a perfect place to grow their careers and raise a family.
"I love walking up and down White Street and thought this was a great way for folks to engage while showing off some of the history and special places Downtown Wake Forest has to offer," King said.
A pairing one could consider as Lassie meets Pokemon Go, the game challenges players to locate historic plaques recently installed in the Downtown district, address numbers, and other landmarks to which Toby's clues guide them, while still keeping the fun of “the hunt” in play.
"It's a unique way to interact with and learn about local locations and the Town’s history," said King, who studied recreation and tourism at Old Dominion University and brings the IT skills necessary to develop and launch the game.
The free and family-friendly hunt, which covers just under a mile and takes less than an hour to complete, offers a recreational and educational way to engage Downtown amidst the thriving business community and historic places around which it's evolved over more than 100 years. As a part of the tour, players who bring their dogs along for the hunt are also prompted to engage with specific Downtown shops so their “Toby’s” can enjoy welcome and much-deserved treats and a “pup cup”.
"We are always looking for innovative ways to showcase the very special setting Downtown Wake Forest provides to its patrons,” said Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership. "We're grateful to Kevin for leading the creation of WAFO GO and excited for residents and visitors alike to use this new tool to discover more about Downtown’s unique history and vibrant scene!”
Camryn Gutierrez is the Town’s Downtown Development Specialist and worked closely with King to choose the locations featured on WAFO GO. "We're excited for it," she said. "WAFO GO will further showcase our history and businesses, enhance economic vitality in the Town’s core, and offer people another new way to experience Downtown."
The WAFO GO game was formally launched at the “Lighting of Wake Forest” event last Friday evening, December 1. Mayor Vivian Jones announced the new game to the large crowd gathered in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza just before the big switch lighting the Town Christmas tree.
“I want to see a lot of you moving along White Street in the coming weeks! Through the holidays and into next year, I hope you’ll join me by downloading the Town’s app, launching the game, and spending a little time learning some fun facts while supporting our Downtown shops,” Mayor Jones said.
So, how do you get started? We’ll leave that to Toby the dog! Read on:
Welcome to the pawsitively exciting scavenger hunt game, friends! To embark on this tail-wagging adventure, make sure you've got your trusty cell phone, a curious mind, and those keen eyes ready for action! First things first, fetch the Town of Wake Forest app or trot over to the website – your choice, tech-savvy pups!
Once you're all set up, unleash your inner detective and use the clues to track down the answers to the riddles. Follow your nose to 10 amazing locations, starting at the library and ending the journey with a victory dance at the end of White Street!
And here's the secret sauce – numbers hold the key to unlocking the mysteries! Worried about making a wrong guess? No need! We've got a multiple-choice extravaganza with zero penalties – just pure, tail-wagging fun! So, are you ready to sniff out knowledge and have a blast on this paw-some scavenger hunt? Let the games begin!
