The Second Annual Housatonic Valley Tourism District’s (HVTD) Antique and Collectible Scavenger Hunt has begun. The unique brand of Hide-And-Seek is open to all antiques enthusiasts. Closing date is March 5.

Ten selected antiques have been hidden among 50 participating antiques and consignment shops in the Housatonic Valley’s nine-town region (Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield and Sherman). Participants are challenged with searching through the shops to try and find the antiques selected by HVTD.

Treasure hunters can obtain an entry form and a visitor’s guide by calling the HVTD office in Danbury or from any of the participating shops in the area. The entry form depicts the ten pieces chosen for this year’s scavenger hunt.

“Connecticut is the place to be if you are searching for unique antiques,” said Ed Dombroskas, the executive director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. “And the Antique Scavenger Hunt is an ideal way to explore the western Connecticut area. Visitors can enjoy dining, shopping and even overnight stays as they discover what a beautiful state this is.”

The three-month time frame of the scavenger hunt gives participants ample time to find the items, and also affords them the opportunity to look through the shops for some good buys as well. Hunters can return to a shop to enter the contest again if they wish; participants are allowed one entry per visit.

In conjunction with the scavenger hunt, visitors coming from out of town can take advantage of HVTD Getaway Weekends packages starting as low as $70, allowing them to spend more time in the Housatonic Valley.

According to Corrine Burke, an antiques dealer and show manager for Ridgefield Antiques Show, “This is a wonderful area for antiquing. There are lots of places to visit, lots of shops, and lots of activities that take place during the Scavenger Hunt. The Housatonic Valley is brimming with resources.”

Winners will be selected from scavenger hunters who can locate the treasures. When a hunter identifies the location of one of the ten items, he or she records it on their entry form and deposits it in an entry box at any of the participating locations.

The winners of each of the antique treasures will be decided by a random drawing from the correct entries. Scavenger Hunt participants can win one of the items offered, or a weekend in the Housatonic Valley (one-night weekend accommodations for two plus dinner at Danbury Hilton & Towers in Danbury).

“Last year’s event was a great success,” said Catherine Brashich, the executive director of Housatonic Valley Tourism District. “We had visitors from as far away as Maine and Florida, and we even received inquiries over the Internet from places like Texas, North Carolina and Ohio from people wanting to learn about antiquing in the Housatonic Valley.”

“We had a very positive experience with last year’s Scavenger Hunt,” said Sandy Wright, manager of The Mill in Newtown. “This is a clever way to introduce antiquers to the variety they can find in the Housatonic Valley.”

Tony Lemonte, the owner of Mirabella Ristorante in Ridgefield and restaurants in New Canaan and Wilton, is also looking forward to the event.

“The Ridgefield area is a nice mecca for antiques and collectibles,” Mr Lemonte pointed out. “Restaurants provide the food that gives antiques hunters the energy to keep shopping.”

And Wayne Adessi, the owner of Adessi of Ridgefield, a store renowned for its unique collection of estate and antique jewelry, agrees.

“Antiquing is a big draw for this community, especially on weekends,” Mr Adessi, a Newtown resident, said. “People who come in to the area are always pleased by the quality of service we provide, and that’s part of what keeps them coming back.”

Participants in the 2nd Annual Antique & Collectibles Scavenger Hunt are being challenged this year to find the following: two reproduction 19th Century French walnut cupboards on shaped legs; a sterling silver collection which includes a circa 1920 Tiffany horsehair brush, a circa 1930 purse, and a circa 1940 rococo shell; a mosaic occasional table and a blue blown glass decanter; an I.W. Harper glass decanter; an antique hammered and solid brass scuttle; a bird’s-eye maple custom cue, circa 1930; a string of pearls; a painted green hutch table, circa 1900; and a pair of small white lustre lamps with prisms, circa 1930.

The official entry forms for the contest include pictures of the specific items, along with the complete rules for the contest.

For more information on the HVTD 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt, Value Getaway Weekend Packages or how to obtain an entry form or visitor’s guide to the Housatonic Valley District, call 743-0546.