Downtown Sutter Creek will be part of the 49er Treasure Trail, March 28 and 29. Photo by: File photo Preston Castle will be part of the 49er Treasure Trail, March 28 and 29. Photo by: File photo

The Amador Council of Tourism has created a countywide treasure hunt plush with clues, adventures and surprises for people of all ages to enjoy.

ACT wanted to have a signature fund-raiser that would raise money for the council, while helping stimulate the local economy, said ACT Tourism Director Maureen Funk. The event, officially the 49er Treasure Trail, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 29. Those who participate will be given a list of clues that will take them through historic downtowns, the Preston Castle in Ione, Kennedy Mine in Jackson, Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek, a Chinese apothecary and other locations in the county.

"The hunt is a fun way to get to know the area and the community, while learning a little bit along the way," a press release from ACT states. "Each downtown has selected a theme and the clues will revolve around their theme. When players get to the historic downtowns they will experience people dressed in costume of a certain era like the Gold Rush or roaring '20's or in the case of Volcano, they will be pulled into a murder mystery to solve."

Registration for the event for those who want to participate in the hunt, either as a clue-seeker or a business featured in the hunt, may register or get more information by calling 245-4503 or (877) 868-7262, or by visiting www.touramador.com.

"We've been working on this for nine months," Funk said. "We felt it was important to spend a lot of time to plan this event."

The treasure hunt will be fun, interactive and cross-generational, she said. Families, businesses, friends or individuals can sign up as a team. On Sunday, March 29, ACT will hold an awards ceremony for the hunts' winners. Prizes donated by local business will be given to the top teams.

The treasure hunt "will definitely expand people's view of the county," said Louise Reade of the Sutter Creek Business and Professional Association. "It will let people see different views of the community they might not see just passing through."

ACT committee member and president of the Jackson Historic Business Association Toni Fancher said that the hunt is good because it incorporates the entire county. The community has been very responsive to the idea, she said.

"They sound enthusiastic," Fancher said. She thinks with the economy the way it is now, local businesses are looking for something that will draw people here to see the local sights.

Funk said she got the idea for the treasure hunt from the international geocaching game. With geocaching, people all over the world can "hide" treasures in various locations and give clues for others via the Internet. Participants can use these clues to find the treasure, which may be a memento inside a box or Tupperware container somewhere in a given city or town.

"Geocaching is a big trend right now and we're trying to find something that would attract a broad range of people," Fancher said.

"I'm hoping the Treasure Trail will draw people" to the area, said Corinne Moore, an Amador City resident and member of the G.O.L.D.P.A.N. Merchants Association. "I think it's a wonderful idea."

Amador City, like other areas in the county, is feeling the impact of the dire economy, Moore said. "It's hard to tell, though, if it's the economy or the bypass," she said, in reference to the Sutter Creek bypass which opened in February 2007. The bypass allows drivers a quicker trip, but prevents them from driving through Amador City and Sutter Creek.

"It's probably a little bit of both," Moore said.

Funk said the community, including all the city business associations, have been extremely supportive of the treasure hunt. ACT's goal, she added, is to get 500 participants, either local or out-of-county. They are also still in search of sponsors for the event.

Most of all, Funk said, the 49er Treasure Trail will be a memorable event for those who participate.

"We wanted it to be fun so that we're attracting people with an adventurous spirit," she said.

Tickets for the event cost $10. Call Funk at 245-4505 for more information.

Funk said she got the idea for the treasure hunt from the international geocaching game. With geocaching, people all over the world can "hide" treasures in various locations and give clues for others via the Internet. Participants can use these clues to find the treasure, which may be a memento inside a box or Tupperware container somewhere in a given city or town.

"Geocaching is a big trend right now and we're trying to find something that would attract a broad range of people," Fancher said.

"I'm hoping the Treasure Trail will draw people" to the area, said Corinne Moore, an Amador City resident and member of the G.O.L.D.P.A.N. Merchants Association. "I think it's a wonderful idea."

Amador City, like other areas in the county, is feeling the impact of the dire economy, Moore said. "It's hard to tell, though, if it's the economy or the bypass," she said, in reference to the Sutter Creek bypass which opened in February 2007. The bypass allows drivers a quicker trip, but prevents them from driving through Amador City and Sutter Creek.

"It's probably a little bit of both," Moore said.

Funk said the community, including all the city business associations, have been extremely supportive of the treasure hunt. ACT's goal, she added, is to get 500 participants, either local or out-of-county. They are also still in search of sponsors for the event.

Most of all, Funk said, the 49er Treasure Trail will be a memorable event for those who participate.

"We wanted it to be fun so that we're attracting people with an adventurous spirit," she said.

Tickets for the event cost $10. Call Funk at 245-4505 for more information.