From THE GREAT PERRYSBURG TREASURE HUNT
This summer, Perrysburg will transform into a living treasure map. Beginning Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m., and running through Aug. 10, at midnight, the Great Perrysburg Treasure Hunt will turn parks, sidewalks, landmarks, and local businesses into a living puzzle. Participants will follow clues, solve puzzles, consult treasure maps, decipher coded messages, and ultimately search for a real buried treasure hidden somewhere within the city.
Prizes will be awarded to the adventurers who uncover the buried treasure, including a $1,500 grand prize package for the first finder, along with additional prize packages of $1,000 for the second finder, and $500 for the third.
Additional treasure finders will receive commemorative “I Found the Treasure” shirts or bumper stickers. Participants in the hunt’s first stage will also have opportunities to earn prizes and be entered into drawings throughout the summer, ensuring that many families can share in the excitement, whether they pursue the final treasure or simply enjoy the adventure along the way.
The hunt is presented in partnership with Visit Perrysburg, whose support has helped bring this city-wide experience to life.
A community-wide celebration event will take place at the conclusion of the hunt to recognize participants, announce winners, and award prizes.
Registration for the hunt may be completed online or in-person and costs $5. Complete details, rules, and updates can be found at www.perrysburgtreasurehunt.com.
Perrysburg mothers Kate French and Lacey Ziemkiewicz have spent the past six months designing the immersive, city-spanning experience. As part of America 250 celebrations unfolding across Perrysburg, the hunt offers an interactive way for residents to mark this historic milestone.
“This isn’t a scavenger hunt. It’s a true treasure hunt,” French said. “What started as an idea has grown into something so much more than I ever imagined. Lacey’s artistic vision is what made it beautiful. Her maps and designs give the hunt its character. We wanted to create something families will talk about for decades, something magical, challenging, and incredibly fun.”
For even co-creator Ziemkiewicz, the goal was to design an experience that belongs to the whole community.
“We wanted to create something that brings people together,” Ziemkiewicz said. “You might see families walking through parks with maps in hand, teenagers cracking codes, and grandparents helping solve clues. It’s an adventure that invites everyone in.”
Perrysburg Mayor Mark Weber expressed his enthusiasm for this historic scope of the event: “This is the most fun and exciting thing to hit Perrysburg since the 1950s, when the circus came to town and they marched the elephants down Louisiana Avenue. Students may not realize it now, but someday they’ll be telling their own kids about the ‘good ol’ days’ when they were part of the Great Perrysburg Treasure Hunt. I am honored to be part of it and in awe of what Kate and Lacey have created.”
“This is a once-in-a-generation experience,” French said. “We hope nearly everyone in Perrysburg joins in. It’s playful, it’s meaningful, and above all, it’s fun.”
The experience will unfold in two stages – an exploratory first phase that invites participants to discover locations across the city, and a more advanced second stage that leads clue-to-clue all the way to the buried chest for those who with to pursue the final treasure.
Throughout the summer, participants will encounter historic sites, artistic installations, hidden details, and unexpected discoveries. The hunt blends local history, storytelling, creativity, and problem-solving into one experience. Organizers hope the hunt will inspire exploration, connection, and joy all summer long.
The project has been developed in collaboration with the city of Perrysburg, Perrysburg Township, Wood County Parks, and Perrysburg Schools, reflecting the broad local enthusiasm behind the hunt.
