By LOIS KINDLE
lekindle@aol.com
Participants on foot or horseback will scour the trails of Little Manatee River State Park, Nov. 14, in search of hidden keys for a chance to win an array of prizes ranging in value from $50 to $190 each.
The community-wide event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Manatee River State Park event field, 215 Lightfoot Road, Wimauma.
“It’s a great way to spend time outdoors with your family and friends in the park’s native Florida environment,” said Friends of the Park board member and event organizer Cathy Moore. “It’s also a fun opportunity to compete for prizes and support the park.”
Registration and check-in are at 8 a.m., and the competition starts at 9 a.m. Participants may enter until 11 a.m. Organizers encourage preregistration at www.friendsofthelittlemanatee.org to save time and avoid the initial rush.
The cost to enter the hunt is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Each entry includes a cheeseburger or veggie burger lunch with sides, a beverage and dessert, served at the event field between 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. The Blue Lotus Kafe will be on site for the first time this year, selling a variety of coffees and pastries from its colorful horse trailer converted into a mobile coffee bar.
Additional lunches for family members or others are available if ordered online for $8 each. Families are welcome to bring their own picnic basket, if they prefer.
“Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy the festivities at the event field, even if it’s just to watch and hang out with friends,” Moore said. “There’s no charge for those who aren’t competing in the hunt.”
All entrants get a trail map, and once they’ve completed their trails, they return to the event field with all the keys they’ve collected. Prizes this year include a horseback outing for two from Born to Ride, an Ace Hardware bucket filled with grilling supplies, a Tractor Supply gift card, a Canoe Outpost canoe or kayak rental, restaurant gift cards and more.
There’s no limit to how many a participant can win, but they must be present at the 2 p.m. drawing to claim them.
The treasure hunt also includes a silent auction, cornhole games, a 50/50 drawing ($1 for one ticket or $5 for six), donkey bingo ($5 per square or $10 for three) for a chance to win $50 cash, and more. To register in advance for the treasure hunt or to order extra lunches, visit www.friendsofthelittlemanatee.org/, hit the Special Events tab and Buy Now. Payment is accepted through PayPal or by debit or credit card. Cash is accepted at the gate.
All proceeds go toward projects in the park not covered by the state park budget. Last year, the Friends group used the funding to purchase public washing machines for campers, a printer for the office and a used golf cart for campground volunteers.
Folks who want to ride but don’t own their own horses can rent them from Wolfe's Born To Ride by calling 941-812-1980. Proof of a negative Coggins blood test is required on all horses. Children under 16 on horseback must wear helmets. For more information, call 813-677-9291 or 813-765-9366.