'Where's Waldo in the ATH?' quest brings foot traffic into Athens-owned businesses

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read

For the past 12 years, a favorite character from the world of children's literature has leapt off the pages and into real life every July by way of Avid Bookshop's annual "Where's Waldo in the ATH?" scavenger hunt. Similar to the way the books work, players are tasked with finding Waldo at several locally-owned businesses and winning prizes for their efforts.

How does it work? Through July 31, those who wish to embark on the Waldo quest can pick up their free game passport by visiting Avid Bookshop at 1662 S. Lumpkin St. in Five Points. The passport contains a list of all of the places where Waldo is hidden downtown, and each business will stamp or sign the passport when the player has located Waldo.

The Banner-Herald has compiled the names and addresses of all of this year's participating "Where's Waldo in the ATH?" businesses, as well as a list of prizes and details for the big party at the end of the month. Daily schedules and hours of operation are subject to change, so please check to see if the business is open before heading over.

Eat Athens: Too hot to grill? Check out these locally-owned burger options for July 4 week

Avid Bookshop is located in Athens' Five Points neighborhood.
Avid Bookshop is located in Athens' Five Points neighborhood.

'Where's Waldo in the ATH?' locations

  • AVID BOOKSHOP: 1662 S. Lumpkin St.

  • ADD DRUG: 1695 S. Lumpkin St.

  • CINé: 234 W. Hancock Ave.

  • CLOCKED: 259 W. Washington St.

  • CONDOR CHOCOLATES (FIVE POINTS): 1658 S. Lumpkin St.

  • DAILY CO-OP: 1190 Prince Ave.

  • DYNAMITE CLOTHING: 143 N. Jackson St.

  • FLEET FEET ATHENS: 1694 S. Lumpkin St.

  • FOOKS FOODS: 2026 S. Milledge Ave.

  • K.A. ARTIST SHOP: 127 N. Jackson St.

  • NORMAL HARDWARE: 1328 Prince Ave.

  • PULASKI HEIGHTS BBQ: 675 Pulaski St. Suite 100

  • REVIVAL YARN: 585 Barber St. Suite D

  • SIPS ESPRESSO CAFé: 1390 Prince Ave.

  • TREEHOUSE KID & CRAFT: 585 Barber St. Studio G

Q&A: How Athens visual artist Paige Walcott combined passion and practicality

'Where's Waldo in the ATH?' prizes

  • COLLECT 10 STAMPS: Bring your passport back to Avid Bookshop to claim a Waldo sticker and a store coupon for $1 off (limited to the first 100 Waldo-spotters).

  • COLLECT 13 STAMPS: Bring your passport back to Avid Bookshop to get a Waldo sticker, a $1 off store coupon, and be entered in a drawing for a deluxe set of "Where's Waldo?" books and other prizes.

  • COLLECT 15 STAMPS: Bring your passport back to Avid Bookshop. Avid has promised "a special prize" for the first person to find the Waldos hidden at each of the 15 participating local business. The bookshop will draw for prizes after the quest ends on July 31, and a party will be held at the store. (The real Waldo has been known to show up at this event.)

Visit avidbookshop.com/event/waldo2024 for complete details.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: "Where's Waldo" quest brings guests into Athens businesses

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next