HUNTERTOWN — The 24th annual Huntertown Treasure Hunt will bring this year’s winner the amount of $318.37, chosen because Huntertown was founded in 1837. The extra $300 comes from this year’s co-sponsors Lima Road Dentistry and Well Grounded Café to make searching for the prize worthwhile.

Two major changes are being made to the Treasure Hunt this year.

“Believe it or not, this is the first time we are doing the treasure hunt as part of Huntertown Heritage Days. This is being done intentionally so hopefully the treasure can be found during the week of Huntertown Heritage Days before the kids go back to school,” Sherry Myers, co-sponsor and owner of Well Grounded Café, said.

The first of three clues for this year’s treasure hunt is scheduled to be published in IN Northwest News next week before Huntertown Heritage Days opens. Clues can also be found at other Huntertown area businesses including Well Grounded Café, Lima Road Dentistry, Sweet Sanity, and Houser Automotive.

Also new this year is an opportunity for Huntertown area businesses to participate in the annual event by becoming sponsors. Any sponsor money received will be added to the amount of the treasure.

The deadline for businesses interested in becoming treasure hunt sponsors is Aug. 3.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can text Hal Atkinson, a longtime co-sponsor on or before Aug. 3 at 260-710-0073 and leave a text message about becoming an additional sponsor of the treasure hunt. Atkinson plans to contact any businesses who have expressed a desire to become a sponsor to work out sponsorship details.

Benefits of becoming a sponsor of this long-running, popular event include an opportunity for 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.

According to Atkinson, suggested donations for businesses are: $100 for a gold sponsor, $50 for a silver sponsor and $20 for a copper sponsor.

“It is amazing how many people get out and run around looking for the treasure. It is kind of a community thing,” Atkinson, said.

Last year’s winner, Val Bartrom, a real estate agent and trainer for Mike Thomas Realty, 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.

Following the rules of the treasure hunt is crucial. 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 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 to recognize 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.

For more information about becoming a treasure hunt sponsor text Hal Atkinson at 260-710-0073 by Aug. 3.