For the second consecutive year, Explore Minnesota, the state’s tourism promotion office, in partnership with Minneapolis-based marketing agency Monopoint Media, has launched a statewide winter scavenger hunt. Park Rapids is a participant this year with a checkpoint at Itasca State Park.
“Checkpoint MN” highlights 12 iconic travel destinations that can be found only in Minnesota this winter.
The scavenger hunt runs through March 5, aiming to rally thousands of participants over the course of 12 weeks with $50,000+ in prizes, including winter gear, ski and snowboard packages, a fat bike, a grand-prize snowmobile and more from Ski-Doo, The-House.com, Columbia Sportswear, Wigwam Socks and others.
“We’re so excited to be featured,” says Nicole Lalum, Executive Director of the Chamber, “Winter is a massive part of what Minnesota is all about, who would we be without snow and cold? Let’s celebrate it, go exploring right in the thick of it, get rid of the doldrums and have some fun!”
“Minnesota is a one-of-a-kind winter travel destination and we’re excited to jumpstart another fun season with Checkpoint MN,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota. “Outdoor recreation is a great way to explore the state, and the 12 checkpoint locations will showcase the unique and diverse winter experiences that can be found only in Minnesota. We encourage travelers to add checkpoints to their winter getaways, or even plan new trips specifically around them.”
#CheckpointMN New in 2014-15
n More checkpoints (12 total versus 10 in 2013-14).
n Longer scavenger hunt timeframe (12 weeks versus 10 in 2013-14).
n More roving checkpoints at various winter events across the state, including: Eden Prairie Ice Castle (Jan. 3); U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (Jan. 15 – 18); Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza (Jan. 24); Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival (Jan. 24)
n More prizes, including a grand prize Ski-Doo snowmobile valued at $7,600
n Weekly prize drawings, including drawings from photos using #OnlyinMN on social media Checkpoint MN locations include various state and regional parks, a ski area, a tubing hill and more.
CheckpointMN.com features a map of the checkpoints, complete prize, rules and sponsorship details, participant photos, and information about each checkpoint and the surrounding area and attractions. Participants are encouraged to follow Explore Minnesota, CheckpointMN and Visit Park Rapids on social media, and share their #OnlyinMN and #visitparkrapids winter experiences on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for a chance to win prizes.
The 12 checkpoints can be found throughout the state and the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be promoting a checkpoint at the Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park.
Each participant automatically earns a prize by reaching their first checkpoint. Participants can earn more prizes the more places they check in. A complete list of rules and prize structure can be found at CheckpointMN.com.
“Every Checkpoint MN participant will get a prize; there are thousands of dollars’ worth of gear available,” said Stephen Regenold, a partner at Monopoint Media and editor and founder of GearJunkie.com.
Prizes on the statewide scavenger hunt from local resorts and business in the Park Rapids Lakes Area include stays from the C’mon Inn, Edgewood Resort, Brookside Resort, Sleeping Fawn Resort and Two Inlets Resort as well as Itasca State Park passes, fishing boat rentals, lunch at Beyond Juice and a shopping spree at Smokey Hills Outdoor Store.
“Supporting our members is what we do,” says Lalum. “It was a great opportunity to promote members of ours across many social media platforms. We’re excited to share what Park Rapids has to offer and can’t wait to welcome scavenger hunters to the area!”
