“Where’s Waldo?”

It’s a question that people, particularly kids, have been asking for nearly four decades. Now, there is an answer. Waldo has come to the Friendly City thanks to the Find Waldo Local program.

“The publishers of the ‘Where’s Waldo’ books started this program about 10 years ago, called Find Waldo Local,” said Emily Liner, owner of Friendly City Books. “The idea is to get people out and about in their communities looking for miniature Waldos.”

Friendly City Books was one of 300 bookstores chosen to be a part of the program this year and there will be around 20 local businesses and organizations participating.

The Columbus Arts Council is one of the participating organizations.

“It’s something we’ve talked about within the downtown community for a while now,” said Salem Gibson, executive director for the organization. “We think it’s a great idea. The other thing I think is exciting is, we are paving a road of new experiences. So when there’s something new to offer this town that’s diverse and interesting (we are interested). People want new experiences. Families want to be able to take their kids out and try something off the beaten path. So anytime we notice something like that, we want to be a part of it.”

He said that CAC will be offering a somewhat educational experience to accompany the program.

“We want to connect the fact that art is riddled through that program,” Gibson said. “We are going to talk a little bit about the illustrator and the writer. I just think that the whole collaborative work with Emily at the bookstore and downtown, the arts council wants to be in that group. I’m excited about it, it’s going to be cool. It’s a fun idea for sure.”

The program consists of local businesses hiding the miniature Waldos and the community setting about finding them.

Each participant will get a Find Waldo Local passport, which features all of the participating businesses. Once a participant finds a Waldo, that business marks their passport.

There are chances for prizes along the way as well.

“There are two opportunities to win prizes,” Liner said. “Once you’ve spotted Waldo at 10 locations, you can come to the book store and get a $1 off coupon for a Waldo book and a Waldo temporary tattoo. When you’ve completed your card, you can enter for the grand prize, which will be a collector’s set of ‘Where’s Waldo’ books.”

The contest ends July 28. The drawing for the grand prize will be held at Friendly City Books on July 29 at 10 a.m.

The businesses participating so far include CJ’s Pizza, Coffee House on 5th, CAC, Columbus Light & Water, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, Farm Bureau, Friendly City Books, Juva, Main Street Columbus, Mudd Dobbers, Munson & Brothers, Mississippi University for Women Dining Services, Neon Frog, Outrageous Rooms, Smackers, Southbound Coffee, Southern Flour and The Diesel Clinic.

Liner added that there was room for two or three more businesses, but they must contact her immediately.

The goal of the program is to promote literacy to children while also promoting local businesses.

The independent bookstores which host the program, such as Friendly City Books, serve as the headquarters.

“I think this is going to be a really fun opportunity to go visit new businesses and businesses that you already love going to,” Liner said.

“We’re going to have a really interesting mix of businesses participating as well as community organizations such as the public library. It’s going to be all around town. There’s going to be restaurants, stores, nonprofits, a little bit of everything.”

There will be a kickoff event held at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Saturday from 8-10 a.m.

Friendly City Books will be there with passports and popsicles.