As the temperatures are starting to rise, the Litchfield Park Historical Society is gearing up for its Ride and Seek event on Saturday, April 24.
Participants have the option to bike, scooter or skateboard through Litchfield Park to complete a self-paced scavenger hunt. The course consists of three loops, allowing riders to bike anywhere from 2 to 12 miles.
“It’s a great way to get people outside and to realize that there are stories and there’s history around them in our environment,” said Lisa Hegarty, Litchfield Historical Society board vice president and programming coordinator.
“It’s going to be a great way to get people together safely outside and create a sense of community and appreciation for the neighborhood, and hopefully bring people together and help them maybe notice some things they might not have noticed before.”
The event will begin at 7 a.m., and participants have the opportunity to spend as little or as much time hunting for answers until the course closes at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive clues at check-in, along with a map of the course. Additionally, there will be a mini pop-up museum for the community to learn more about what the historical society offers.
“I hope people see the historical society is kind of a resource for learning about where they live,” Hegarty said. “I think it’s important that people know what has come before them and the people who have come before and the way the community looks today was very different several generations ago.”
Check-in will be on the southeast corner of Old Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard in Downtown Litchfield Park.
Registration is open until Friday, April 23. Participants can also register in person the day of the event. The cost is $25 per family or $15 per individual.
All those participating are encouraged to bring helmets, water bottles and smartphones to scan QR codes for clues. Printed copies of information to help solve clues will also be available.
Event proceeds will benefit the Litchfield Park Historical Society Museum’s exhibits and programs.
“It’s good to try to get to know your community, and tapping into the local historical society kind of gives you a sense of what’s come before and creates a sense of place. I think this event can help create that sense of place,” Hegarty said.
In addition to the scavenger hunt, a free bike rodeo will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, presented by the Goodyear Fire Department and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Tanja Tanner, the Goodyear Fire Department’s community risk reduction and community education coordinator, said participating in this event was a “no-brainer,” as it allows the community to get active outside and have the opportunity to learn some safety tips.
“It’s just nice to get back in our own community and give us an opportunity to do what we do best and try to save lives in the prevention standpoint with education,” Tanner said.
Bike skills and safety tips will be available for all ages adjacent to the scavenger hunt check-in at Litchfield Elementary School’s north parking lot. Registration is not required for this free event.
For more information on the event or to register, visit lphsmuseum.org/bike.