It’s back!

This fall, we’re inviting you to learn more about the monster tales of West Virginia – the mysterious creatures involved are known as “Cryptids.” We’re doing this by offering a community wide scavenger hunt that we’re calling the “Taylor County Monster Hunt,” and through a Kindergarten/Preschool Monster Maze at the International Mother’s Day Shrine

To learn more about either of these exciting opportunities, read the descriptions below.

The Monster Hunt

How it Works | The Basics

How it Works | The Basics

If you participated in any of our previous history hunt or our last monster hunt, then you know the drill. If you didn’t, here’s the run down:

  • Everyone who plans to participate in the hunt should register to be eligible to win cool prizes (see registration information below)
  • Wait for the clues to drop on Monday October 16th, 2023 around noon.
  • Solve the clues, then travel to places around Taylor County to find the Monsters and their fact sheets. When we say, “Find the Monster,” we mean find the poster that includes a picture of monster. The poster will also have facts about the monster. If you’re under 18, plan to have a trusted adult with you!
  • Scan the QR Code or navigate to the website printed on the bottom of the poster.
  • Answer the questions about the monster (don’t worry, the answers are right in front of you…)
  • Take a selfie that includes you and the monster (and your trusted adult if you are under 18).
  • Submit this entry, and keep hunting!

Registration

Registration is easy! It happens here, and will be open through the end of October. The hunt starts on October 16th, and the sooner you register, the better. Don’t worry if you’re late to the party, though – sometimes late registrants have the most fun!

Prizes

Prizes are awarded in these two categories:

YOUTH (under 18 years of age)

This year we have proudly partnered with the 3D Cauldron here in Grafton and the first 20 youth that FIND all FIFTEEN monsters (and properly submit their picture with a trusted adult) and CORRECTLY answer all questions from the fact sheets will win a 3D printed figurine of the Grafton Monster & a t-shirt in their size.
Youth can also win a button in the likeness of every monster they find (up to 15!). These buttons can be worn proudly on your backpack, lanyard, or other place of prominence!

ADULTS (18 and older)
Anyone who is not a youth member of the Taylor County community can still win prizes! These participants who are registered can win a button in the likeness of every monster they find (up to 15!)

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Receiving your prizes:
To receive your prizes you must pick them up in Grafton at the Taylor County Family Resources office during normal business hours (M,T, Th; 8:30a-4:30p, W,F 11:00a-7:00p) after you have been alerted that your prizes are ready. You will be alerted after the hunt has ended, by the email you use at registration.
If you are unable to return to Grafton to accept your prize(s) you may either forfeit your prize(s) or pay a handling fee (minimum $10) to have it shipped to you.

Rules

1). Registration for the event is available to everyone, but prizes may vary based on age (only youth are eligible to win T-Shirts & the Grafton Monster figurine).
2). “Youth” is defined as a person who is under 18 years of age. Youth MUST be accompanied by an adult on the hunt.
3). All fields, including the selfie, must be completed for the entry to be counted.
4). If the selfie is submitted by a youth participant, the selfie must include the youth participant, the adult, and a clearly discernible monster in the photo. If the selfie is submitted by an adult participant it must include the adult participant and a clearly discernible monster in the photo. It is the intent of the selfie to determine that the participants actually visited the place in Taylor County. If the contest reviewers can not determine that the participant actually traveled to the location the clue led to, the entry will be marked as incomplete and invalid.
5). There is no cost to participate in this event. However, standard data and messaging rates may apply when completing the entry forms on data enabled devices. Additionally, Taylor County Monster Hunt Merchandise is for sale by Taylor County Family Resources, as a fundraiser for Partners in Prevention (PIP) – information is available at TCFR Headquarters on 105 Beech St in Grafton. This program is provided by the Partner in Prevention (PIP) Coalition of Taylor County Family Resources. Partners in Prevention is funded in part by a grant from TEAM for West Virginia Children.
6). Neither Partners in Prevention (PIP) nor Taylor County Family Resources assumes any liability for injuries or other harm or damages incurred while participating in this scavenger hunt.

The Monster Maze

In order to get our youngest monster hunters excited about West Virginia Folklore, we are offering The Monster Maze at the International Mothers Day Shrine in Grafton on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 6PM to 8PM. No preregistration is necessary, just show up with your favorite monster hunting preschooler or kindergartener for fun! This event is also fun to older kids and adults too!

See our flyer for the monster hunt below: