WESTSIDE SCAVENGER HUNTS: Cookeville Leisure Services’ WestSide Scavenger Hunts will be held Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., beginning at the Cookeville Depot, where participants can get entry forms, hot cocoa and cookies. A digital or cell phone camera is needed for this free activity. Completed forms will be entered in a gift basket drawing. Call 931-528-8570 for more information.
WHAT: WestSide Scavenger Hunts
WHEN: Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
WHERE: Begins at Cookeville Depot Museum
DETAILS: Free, family-friendly event promotes exploration of historic district around Cookeville Depot
CONTACT: Cookeville Leisure Services, 931-520-4386, or Cookeville Depot Museum, 931-528-8570
Scavenging fun returning to WestSide
It’s scavenger hunting season in Cookeville’s WestSide district.
“We want to get people moving and exploring history,” Ashley McKee, Cookeville museums education specialist, said of Cookeville Leisure Services’ fifth annual WestSide scavenger hunts.
The first of three Saturday hunts will take place Jan. 14, starting at the Cookeville Depot Museum at 116 W. Broad St. The others are planned for Feb. 11 and March 11.
Participants are invited to stop by the depot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive an entry form with thumbnail images and rhyming clues leading to several neighboring businesses and organizations, including the Putnam County Clean Commission, Charity’s Bake Shop and Cafe, Father Tom’s Pub, P-Dilly’s Cupcakes, Sports 1 and Old Town T-Shirt Co.
The goal is to find each image, replicate it with a digital camera or cell phone and then return completed forms to the depot. Those successfully completing the task will be entered in a drawing to win that month’s gift basket.
Participation is free.
“You have to walk around and hunt different places inside and out,” McKee said, adding that the depot will be providing hot cocoa and cookies.
McKee said the activity has had a good turnout in the past, attracting families, student groups and more for a fun and educational walk around the historic district, which has experienced resurgence in recent years through the efforts of organizations like Cookeville CityScape and the WestSide Business Association.
“Businesses really like to participate in this community outreach,” she added. “It’s also good exposure for the depot. It gets people in to see our exhibits.”
The depot, which was built in 1909 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.
To learn more, call 931-528-8570 or visit www.cookevilledepot.com.
PHOTO CUTLINE:
Carver Moore, Cookeville Depot docent, and Beth Thompson, Cookeville museums manager, prepare for Cookeville Leisure Services’ fifth annual WestSide scavenger hunts, the first of which is Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
