Find Waldo in Reading: A True Community Collaboration

Local Businesses Joined Forces in Beloved Annual Event Celebrating “Shop Local”

A Waldo cutout stands guard over a table of prize baskets and thank-you bags at Whitelam Books. Photo provided by Whitelam Books.

Reading, MA - Whitelam Books and twenty-seven other Reading businesses recently wrapped up another successful Find Waldo Local adventure in the month of July. Find Waldo Local is a beloved summertime event in Reading, and this year featured a true collaboration of the Reading business community! 

Find Waldo Local brought a fun townwide scavenger hunt to Reading, while also helping to support the shop local movement. Reading businesses including Virginia’s Cafe & Market, The Flower Shoppe of Eric’s, and Simms Jewelers, were happy to support the community to provide this fun activity.

To celebrate a successful month of Waldo searching, Whitelam Books hosted a fun Waldo wrap up celebration on Saturday, August 1. Participants that discovered Waldo in 20 or more Reading stores were entered into a raffle, where they could win one of 50 fun prizes donated by the participating stores. Partygoers also enjoyed snacks and beverages generously provided by Cupcake City, Christopher’s Restaurant, and Reading Cooperative Bank.

Whitelam Books was honored to be selected as one of 325 independent bookstores nationwide to host Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association’s Find Waldo Local event. Mark your calendars for Waldo’s return to Reading businesses again in July 2027!

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