It is time for the annual Huntertown Heritage Days Treasure Hunt 24. It is a popular event! If you follow the clues and find the treasure, you can add a little coin to your pocket.

Two new things to note this year. First, the timing of the treasure hunt has been changed to coincide with the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival. The change was made so children would likely not be in school when the treasure is found. After all, it is a family-fun event.

Second, a new sponsor, Environmental Management Specialists, 2409 Hunter Road, joins longtime sponsors Well Grounded Café, 14517 Lima Road, and the Lima Road Dentistry, 9019 Lima Road.

“It seemed like a good opportunity to contribute back to the community for something fun and exciting,” Andy Hirschy, operations manager, Environmental Management Specialists, said.

If you’re lucky, and correctly interpret the clues you can find the treasure and win $318.37. Do that, and your name will also be engraved on the legendary Huntertown Treasure Hunt trophy. Everybody has to find their own “claim to fame!” Will you find the treasure and find fame at the same time?

The trophy is prominently displayed at the Well Grounded Café. Stop by and see who the previous treasure finders were since the hunt began in 2000.

Finally, why is the treasure $318.37? Easy. Huntertown’s birth was in 1837. Back then it was called “The Opening” and was a natural clearing in the forest along the Lima Plank Road that connected Lima — now called Howe — to Fort Wayne.

The original sponsors somehow knew that $18.37 was unlikely to spur anyone to hunt for such a piddly amount — so an extra $300 was added to the Treasure to gin-up interest!

Here are the rules:

1. The Treasure note will be in a 35mm film canister.

2. The canister will be hidden on public property or public access property within the corporate limits of Huntertown.

3. The Treasure Hunt is open to anyone!

4. The Treasure Hunt will continue until someone finds the canister.

5. The finder should take the canister to Lima Road Dentistry at 9019 Lima Road in the Empire Center, OR take it to Well Grounded Café. Instructions will be inside the canister.

6. “Public access property” is defined as private property that the public can walk on where it is unlikely the owner will be annoyed. But the canister won’t be in somebody’s front yard!

Put on your thinking caps to decipher the clues because here is Clue No. 1:

CLUE 1 TREASURE HUNT 2023

It’s time to launch Treasure Hunt 24.

Hop up from your chair and slide out the door.

H-Town has grown since this Hunt was created.

Interest is spreading. It has not abated.

The tall and the short are equal this year.

No tools required and no special gear.

Pretty much anyone could find the Treasure.

Free minds and sharp eyes will give one that pleasure.

The Treasure won’t be found in Twin Eagles.

It’s not likely to be grabbed by a beagle.

But it’s out there, just waiting for a sleuth.

Could it be you? Search carefully. Forsooth!

For more information on becoming a sponsor for the Treasure Hunt text Hal Atkinson at 260-710-0073. There are three sponsor levels: Gold at $100; Silver at $50 and Copper at $20. The deadline for becoming a sponsor is Aug. 3.