Title
Special Recognition -- “Where’s Melnic?” Scavenger Hunt
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the Olympia Police Department “Where’s Melnic?” scavenger hunt.
Report
Issue:
Introducing the “Where’s Melnic?” scavenger hunt - a Downtown for the Holidays event to support downtown businesses.
Presenter(s):
Lt. Paul Lower, 360.753.8410
Background and Analysis:
In 2014, the Olympia Police Department (OPD) launched a holiday contest called, “Where’s Melnic?” to encourage families to come downtown during the holiday season. In its first year, the game attracted 15 businesses who participated and over three dozen players.
Players are tasked with finding posters of Melnic that are hung in a variety of businesses. They note the location of the posters on a playing card provided by OPD. When five photos are found, the player returns the card to OPD for a personally “pawtographed” photo of Melnic. In addition, players are invited to meet Melnic and his handler at a “Meet Melnic” event held in Feburary.
This year, 32 Olympia businesses and 20 Olympia School District schools are participating in the 2nd Annual “Where’s Melnic?” fun. The Olympian is a sponsor and has provided advertising for the event and the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA) has partnered with OPD to promote the scavenger hunt with its members.