Duck, Duck, Goose - Renton Style

Did you participate in the IKEA Renton River Days duck hunt this year? If you didn't then you're too late, they've now flown away from their hiding spots. They'll be on display at Renton River Days though and you can see them, vote on your favorite one, and even participate in the “Ducklings and Dragons” scavenger hunt throughout Liberty Park this weekend. The organizers of IKEA Renton River Days have done a great job organizing the activity. Local businesses became foster homes for the oversized rubber ducks, dressed them in elaborate costumes, and placed them in relatively easy-to-find spots. Perhaps you saw a few while running errands around town, or maybe you noticed your neighbors excitedly scanning the stores. Over the last month on the IKEA Renton River Days facebook page, clues were given out as to their whereabouts. Duck hunters would then visit those businesses to locate the duck and get their card stamped with a letter. As ducks cards filled up, a secret message was revealed which exposed the Goose hiding among ducks. This weekend duck hunters will bring their stamped cards and goose guesses to the IKEA booth at Renton River Days to receive chances to win various prizes.

 My kids and I stumbled upon our first duck at McClendon Hardware and were encouraged by the sales clerk to participate. After that first stamp, we were hooked. Every time a new clue was given, my son would do his best to decipher it. Over the course of the month, we made 3-4 duck-hunting endeavors, collecting anywhere from 4-6 stamps each trip. One day we focused our efforts downtown, one day we hunted in the Highlands, one day we stayed close to home in the Grady Way/Talbot Hill/Benson Drive area, and then on Wednesday of this week, the final day of the hunt, we collected stamps from some of the businesses we missed. In the end we had 26 out of 30 stamps, enough to figure out the secret message, as well as the secret message contained within the secret message. (Like I said, the organizers were good!)

 Being a relatively new family in Renton, the duck hunt was a fun way to get to know the area a little better and meet the people who make this town so great. Rather than being annoyed at all the increased, mostly non-purchasing traffic, owners and employees at the businesses we visited welcomed us with smiles and gave my kids lollipops or pencils or offered hints as to the whereabouts of other ducks in the area. I found out other things too: That Creative Mom Toys can creatively repair an accidentally ripped duck card, that my favorite flavor at the POP! Gourmet Popcorn shop is Coconut Curry, that Jet City coffee has the best non-fat iced chai I've ever tasted, that Garland Jewelers is where I can take my wedding ring to get fixed, that Planet Fitness has massage chairs, that I should check out King and Bunny's first next time I need a new appliance, that the library has many different card designs to choose from, and that the police station is located in the big shiny City Hall building on the hill. We also found out which duck was the Goose... but my lips are sealed on that one.