Businesses gearing up for treasure hunt

The 2011 Great Northwest Glass Quest is set for February 18 - 27, with treasures to be hidden throughout Stanwood and Camano Island.

Camano glass artist Mark Ellinger has created more than 200 hand-blown glass snowballs for the event. Each snowball will be hidden at local businesses, with maps and clue balls leading treasure hunters to their locations.

Treasure hunters who do not find one of the snowballs can enter a drawing for a snowball or purchase one at a reduced price.

Last year, more than 1,000 entry forms were collected by area businesses for the drawing. Thirteen winners were drawn, each receiving one of Ellinger’s creations.

During last year’s Glass Quest, 2,000 event booklets were distributed to treasure hunters and more than 12,000 visits were made to the Stanwood and Camano Island host businesses.

This year’s planning committee expects similar results as visitors find event pamphlets from hotels and public venues.

For participating businesses and sponsors, the 2011 Glass Quest kick-off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8 will provide an opportunity for social networking and education about the Quest. The kick-off event will be at the Camano Senior and Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road on Camano Island.

Glass Quest kits, which will be distributed at the kick-off, include a poster, rack cards, event booklets, tracking forms and event guidelines.

Each participating business will receive a window decal indicating they are part of The Quest. Event planners also recommend that participating businesses promote the quest on their social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Sponsorship packages and business participation packages are available at www.thegreatnwglassquest.com.