Looking for something fun to do outside of the house now that winter is over? The Anacortes Arts Festival and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce are once again holding the Anacortes Nautical Treasure Hunt! Explore Anacortes, search for the special prize balls and win! All the fun takes place April 18 – 27, 2025.
“The Treasure Hunt is a fantastic way to explore Anacortes from a different perspective,” shares Kate Helmreich, Anacortes Arts Festival communications manager. “For visitors, it offers an exciting opportunity to explore parks, playgrounds, and hidden gems throughout the town while on the hunt for a prize. For residents, it provides a chance to rediscover their own community—whether by stumbling upon a charming local shop they’ve never visited before or by exploring a scenic park they may have overlooked.”
3rd Annual Anacortes Nautical Treasure Hunt
You may have participated in the glass float finds that happen in several spots along the Washington Coast and on Camano Island each year. It was the Camano Island hunt that inspired Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival director, to want to bring a similar experience to Anacortes. She wanted to incorporate local artists into the hunt—and so the Anacortes Nautical Treasure Hunt was born. “By integrating locally made art pieces as prizes, the event became not just a fun challenge but a celebration of the talented artists in our community,” shares Kate.
Visitors and residents alike will have fun exploring Anacortes looking for approximately 250 prize balls that will be hidden in local businesses, parks and public spaces. Those that find one of the balls will be award a nautical-themed art piece created by local artists.
Each prize is unique and there are a variety of mediums—from hand-painted tiles to scarves and sailboat prints to sea-inspired jewelry. The Skagit County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee helps fund the event and the prizes.
In 2024, almost all the balls were found and just under 100 people found prizes. “Based on community enthusiasm and engagement, it’s clear that many more people took part in the search, making it a widely enjoyed event!” shares Kate. Winner gets to choose their prize from the remaining selection available.
So how do you participate? It’s simple! Each day at least one ball is hidden at each participating business and two are placed at designated parks or playgrounds. No clues or riddles are given out—you just need to search!
“The balls are strategically placed in locations where they blend into their surroundings, making it a challenge to spot them,” advises Kate. “Hunters must rely on their eyes and instincts to find the hidden treasures.” Other tips she has is that there is no need to move merchandise or natural objects, all balls will be visible for keen eyes, even if camouflaged. Don’t spend longer than 20 minutes in one spot. “Stay patient and have fun!” she adds. “The hunt is designed to be an enjoyable experience, whether you find a prize or not.”
Each person is limited to finding one prize ball, so there can be as many winners as possible.
“The hunt not only adds an element of adventure but also encourages participants to engage with the town in a meaningful way,” shares Kate. “And after finding their treasure, many participants choose to stop and shop at the local businesses they’ve discovered along the way, further supporting our community.”
To learn more and to get the treasure map, visit the Anacortes Arts Festival website.
