One of the clues depicts a building’s date of establishment. METUCHEN — Those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt may especially enjoy this month in Metuchen.
The borough’s Historic Preservation Scavenger Hunt began June 1 and will run until June 30. The annual event, organized by the Metuchen’s Historic Preservation Committee, has participants searching for landmarks throughout town in an effort to showcase the borough’s historic treasures.
“This is the fourth year that we are doing this,” said Councilman Jay Muldoon, liaison to the committee. “Each year, there are more participants and more interest. Last year, we had 75 entries.”
He said the scavenger hunt is being held in June this year to coincide with the Junebug Artfest taking place every Friday this month. Shops around town will have forms to pick up so that people can search for items on the list while they stroll through town.
Participants get a form with 10 images of historic elements located throughout downtown Metuchen. People are asked to identify the 10 items in the self-paced hunt. All items will be visible from the sidewalk at street level along Main Street, between Middlesex and Amboy avenues.
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: age 10 and under, 11-18 years old, adult/individual and family/group. Winners will receive $25 gift certificates from the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce.
The gift certificates can be used in any business that participates with the chamber.
All complete, correct entries will be pooled, and winners will be drawn at random and announced at the July 21 Borough Council meeting.
Entry forms may be downloaded at www.metuchennj.org, or picked up at the Metuchen Public Library or in participating borough businesses. Only one entry per person or group will be accepted. All entries must be returned to Borough Hall, 500 Main St., by June 30.
“I think it’s a great thing for people to take advantage of, because when you take the time to look around, you actually see some of the historic buildings and some of the architectural elements of those buildings — things that we maybe take for granted,” Muldoon said. “It’s almost like looking at everyday things with a different lens or a different view.”