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Delaware Park is one of Buffalo’s most beloved outdoor spaces. It comprises running and walking trails, perfect spots for a picnic on the lake, hosts Shakespeare in the Park, and is bordered by the prestigious Albright Knox Art Gallery. Its newest addition is a spooky one and just in time for the Halloween spirit: the Frankenpoet Scavenger Hunt, which leads participants through the park seeking the “body parts” of the perfect poet. But don’t worry – you won’t find actual body parts – the body parts are actually colorful pieces of artwork created by local artist Jake Reber.
The scavenger hunt begins at the corner of Lincoln Parkway and Rumsey Road with a QR code* displayed on the nearest lamppost. Once scanned, it will take you to a webpage with a Youtube link and one of the body parts, ahem, one of Reber’s pieces. The Youtube video plays the voice of a local poet reciting his or her spooky poem. This poem provides you with a clue to locating the next QR code. There are five locations in total. The scavenger hunt lasts between 20-45 minutes depending on your speed and how easily you locate the clues. It will bring you around to some of the Delaware Park highlights, which are especially beautiful framed by the vibrant oranges and yellows of changing leaves. If you’re in the park taking your evening stroll, this scavenger hunt is the perfect way to immerse yourself in some local talent. And as you walk, you may even see actors practicing for upcoming Shakesfear performances.
Co-creators Sara Ali and Ben Brindise, local poets who have collaborated on many projects, are the brains behind the Frankenpoet Scavenger Hunt. “I’ve always wanted to create something that lived in a space for the intent of being found,” Brindise explains about this activity. “Breaking this story up into parts and framing it as a scavenger hunt was a fun way to have something for anyone to find and get lost in for a bit.”
For the debut evening of the scavenger hunt on October 5th, they offered Mayer Brothers cider and donuts to participants and accompanied them as they listened to the voices of Jazz De Nero, Ten Thousand, Robin Jordan, Justin Karcher, and Sara Ali herself reading their spooky verses.
The intention behind Frankenpoet includes the merging of multimedia elements: “whenever I curate events, I try to combine at least two mediums,” Ali says. “This time around I wanted to do something spooky and immersive that really engages people. It’s also a way to get out of the house and explore the beauty right in our backyard.” Both Ali and Brindise hope that participants can be exposed to and inspired by some of the talent in the area.
So, bring your phone, a pair of headphones and your sense of adventure to spend some time outdoors. You can do it any time of day and with as many people as you’d like. All ages can participate, but young children will need adult supervision and help deciphering the clues. The scavenger hunt will run throughout the entire month of October.
Note: If you want to see more of Jake Reber’s work, check him out on Instagram @artificialbl1ss
*The QR codes will be posted around Delaware Park until 11/1. On that evening, they will be removed.
Lead image: Debut group of participants on Thursday, October 5th
It’s not unusual for authors to come and go. Guest authors range from collegiate interns to writers who will be contributing for a short stint of time. Guest authors might also have a series in mind. Authors are encouraged to submit their ideas to BRO (Buffalo Rising Online), upon which time we will work with the writer towards a productive end.
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