Frosty the Snowman scavenger hunt takes over Shelburne

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

If you live in Shelburne, you might have noticed a snowman decoration popping up in different locations throughout the town – the local scavenger hunt is part of a community effort called Shelburne's #FindFrosty. 

Shelburne's #FindFrosty was created by local residents Dylan Farrows and Thomas Lynch, as a way to spread some holiday cheer, while dealing with the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The community wide evented started when a snowman decoration posted online went unclaimed. Seeing an opportunity to do something fun for not only themselves but for the community, Farrows said they picked up the Christmas decoration and began placing it in different locations around Shelburne.  

“We just decided, let's hide it around town, and see if people will move around with it and take pictures,” explained Lynch adding that the adventure was partly inspired by the Shelburne painted rocks event that took place during the summer. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of holiday events that typically take place in the community have been cancelled. Farrows said that hunt for the figure, who has now been dubbed “George Peel,” allows the community to get out of their homes. 

“I think it brings back the idea of Christmas is supposed to be fun with family kind of thing,” said Farrows. “It gives people the opportunity to go out, walk around, look at Christmas lights and hang out with family and friends at a time where we can't really do that.” 

Farrows and Lynch encourage residents in Shelburne to move the snowman themselves, and to leave hints to its whereabouts on the groups Facebook page. 

The local adventure started at the beginning of December and will run until the end of the month.

“It's going to bring a lot of Christmas joy back, all year round we've been kind of down and this is the time to be joyful, and to celebrate the time that we have with people,” said Farrows. 

“It's fun for everyone in the family,” said Lynch.