Month-long $1,000 LegendErie Scavenger Hunt Begins

Get ready for 814 Day. One month before the area-code-friendly date of Friday, Aug. 14, the LegendErie Scavenger Hunt is about to kick off. At 8:14 p.m. (get it?) on Thursday, July 15, participants will receive their first clues to set them on course for 12 different downtown Erie locations. Those intrepid Erieites who succeed will be entered to win $1,000. 

To start hunting, stay tuned to 814day.com/hunt. 

Cultures, Arts, Festivals and Events of Erie are launching the scavenger hunt, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. There is no cost for entry, and is open to all who wish to participate. 

"You can do it at your own pace either with friends or by yourself," said Aaron Loncki, President of Cultures, Arts, Festivals and Events of Erie in a press release. "You might even learn something along the way."

With a fittingly legendary premise, the scavenger hunt trails the ghost of Ebenezer Crosby. According to the Naval Historical Foundation: "Ebenezer Crosby, a master shipwright, was hired by Dobbins to start work on the four wooden ships. Crosby was carried on the roster from November 1812 until June 1813, after which no further information about him is available. Crosby was singularly responsible for excellent initial laying down of the ships."

As guests follow clues to track Crosby's fortune, they'll be lead well past the War of 1812, throughout Erie's history. 

Some of the official rules include:

• Those who participate can visit the 12 locations and solve the clues to discover the fortune. 

• There is no need to dig or move objects. 

• Participants are awarded 10 points for each location visited and 10 points for each challenge question answered correctly. 

• Those who discover all 12 locations and score at least 200 points in the challenges will be entered to win $1000. 

• Contest begins at 8:14 p.m. on July 15 and ends at 8:14 a.m. on Aug. 14. 

• Winner will be announced later on 814 Day. 

• The LegendErie Scavenger Hunt is completed through a smartphone app called "Turf Hunt". To get started, download the app at www.814day.com/hunt. The app works with both Android and iPhone smartphones.