North Carolina’s largest county-wide scavenger hunt is back. The popular Pinecone Pathways program is returning to Moore County and will run from March 20-April 22.
The program was created by the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in partnership with glassmakers from Starworks in Star. Starting on the first day of spring, 100 colorful glass pinecones will be hidden along trails throughout Moore County for a five-week period, concluding on Earth Day, April 22.
“Pinecone Pathways has quickly become the most popular annual event we support,” said CVB President and CEO Phil Werz in a press release. “Last year, we saw people from a number of states making the trip to the Pinehurst area and Moore County to spend a couple days searching for these unique glass treasures. Given the program starts on the first day of spring, it’s a great way to get outside on our trails, enjoy exercise and hopefully realize the excitement of finding a rare glass pinecone.”
This year, the CVB has added a special community event to celebrate the start of the program. On Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., the CVB will host the Pinecone Pathways Kickoff Party at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines.
There will be special announcements, a meet and greet with glassmakers from Starworks, a pop-up market, musical entertainment by Whiskey Pines and a variety of food trucks for everyone to enjoy. There will also be a chance to find a number of pinecones in advance, and prizes will be awarded to each finder that evening.
Glass pinecones will be hidden in weekly increments of 20 for five weeks along selected trail systems throughout Moore County. Each week, a new series of trails will be announced via social media alerting pinecone hunters as to what trails they should explore to find a pinecone.
The pinecones will be tagged with a special number and QR code so those finding them can register them and be eligible to win a prize, including a two-night stay in the Pinehurst area and other fun prizes.
The pinecone image must be registered online to be eligible for the grand prize drawing. Finders can be any age, but the person claiming the grand prize must be 21 years of age or older. This is the third year of the program.
Because there will only be a limited number of pinecones to be found in the program, the CVB asks that finders only keep one, and any additional ones found will remain hidden on the trail. Only one contest registration per household will be permitted.
For more information about the Pinecone Pathways Program, go to: https://homeofgolf.com/pinecone-pathways/
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Contributed article and photo.
