HUNTERTOWN — It is time for the annual Huntertown Treasure Hunt. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the fun, townwide event.

“It is amazing how many people get out and run around looking for the treasure. It is kind of a community thing,” Hal Atkinson organizer and co-sponsor, said of past treasure hunts.

This year the treasure hunt is set for July because Northwest Allen County Schools (NACS) starts classes very early in August. The three clues for this family-friendly hunt are set to be published in IN Northwest News on consecutive Wednesdays beginning July 17.

IN Northwest News is the media sponsor for the treasure hunt. The July midsummer timing of clues and the event help ensure children are not in school during the hunt.

According to Atkinson, if a fourth clue is needed it is expected to be published Aug. 7.

The unusual amount of $318.37 as the prize money was chosen because Huntertown was first discovered in 1837. Back then it was called “The Opening” and was a natural clearing in the forest along the Lima Plank Road. Hence, the $18.37 part of the treasure.

However, the initial event sponsors did not believe anybody would come out to look for such a small amount of money. So, $300 was added by then co-sponsors Atkinson of Lima Road Dentistry and Well Grounded Café owner Sherry Myers to make searching for the prize more worthwhile.

Currently, the treasure hunt has three sponsors. Besides Lima Road Dentistry, 9019 Lima Road, and Well Grounded Café,14517 Lima Road, Andy Hirschy of Environmental Management Specialists, 2409 Hunter Road, Huntertown, is a sponsor again this year.

Additionally, the Huntertown Treasure Hunt is also accepting more sponsors. Any sponsor money received will be added to the amount of the treasure, according to Atkinson.

“This year we will again welcome new small-business sponsors at $100 each,” Atkinson said in an email.

Small businesses interested in becoming a treasure hunt sponsor need to contact Atkinson by July 19. The sponsorship fee must be paid to be included in the stories that will feature clues two and three, Atkinson said in an email.

Benefits of becoming a sponsor of this long-running, popular event include greater name recognition in the community, and wider recognition in the IN Northwest News circulation area. Additionally, this event is often posted on social media sites which can reach a nationwide — or even a global audience.

Past winners include the 2022 winner Val Bartrom, who discovered the treasure by shuffling through some rocks at the base of a light pole on Centralyard Court.

According to Myers, Bartrom donated her treasure hunt winnings to the Huntertown Family Park.

Last year’s winners, Stephanie Hubert and Brian Thomas, coordinated their efforts several times during their search to find the treasure at the local Lutheran church.

Here are the rules:

1. The treasure hunt 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 to Well Grounded Café at 14517 Lima Road. Instructions are inside the canister.

6. “Public access property” is defined as private property that the public can walk on where it is unlikely the property owner will be annoyed. The canister WILL NOT be in someone’s front yard.

Besides the prize money there is a trophy recognizing the winner.

“The trophy sits in a prominent place at the Well Grounded Café with all the names of the winners engraved on it,” Atkinson said.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Huntertown Treasure Hunt this year call or text Hal Atkinson at 260-710-0073 by July 19.