As a way to offer a little fun during the coronavirus pandemic, the Historic Tanglefoot Association hopes to lure people out of their houses to drive along Festus Main Street and Bailey Road in Crystal City Bailey Road for a “Bear Hunt.”
The event will be held from Friday to Sunday (April 3-5) and will have participating businesses hide stuffed bears in their storefront windows for people to find. Some of the businesses taking part will offer prizes, while others will display bears just for the fun of it, said Lauren Haynes, director of marketing for Main Key Realty, 114 Main St., in Festus.
Those who come to hunt for the bears are asked to stay in their vehicles because of the government directives to practice social distancing.
“It’s a way to get (local residents) out of the house and still obey the rules,” Haynes said.
She said the event also is a good way to support local businesses, many which are struggling during the stay-at-home order issued to stem the spread of the virus.
“Participants put a bear in their front windows facing Main Street. People come downtown and look for the bears,” said Haynes, who spearheaded the event. “You’ll be able to see them from the window, but you’ll have to look a little.
“It’s kind of up to the businesses as to how they’ll participate. Some will just display the bear. Others will have a sign with the bear saying to text to a number to be eligible for a prize. They’ll have drawings for prizes.”
Haynes said many businesses have already committed to taking part and others may join in by April 3.
“Right now we have about 20 businesses,” she said. “We may have more by the time this starts. Most are in Festus, but I think we will have a few on Bailey Road in Crystal City.”
For more information about the Bear Hunt, call Haynes at 573-880-8670.
