Finders Keepers returns, bringing holiday cheer and prizes to downtown Kingston

*Paid Business Feature*

Finders Keepers, a series of clues which lead to a hidden prize somewhere in Kingston, has returned to the Limestone City after a two-year hiatus.

In December 2017, Improbable Escapes launched a Twitter account offering clues at 15 minute intervals to a location. The first person or team to arrive at the location received a prize. The holiday fun took place from 2017 to 2019, and offered three prizes for each location.

Now, Finders Keepers is back with a bang in 2022! This year, Improbable Escapes (IE) has planned “Finders Keepers Extreme.” Six Finders Keepers hunts will take place this month, and this time, it’s not only first-come-first-served.

“This year, we have prizes for everyone that shows up,” explained Melissa Eapen-Bell, co-owner and co-founder of Improbable Escapes Inc. “The first place team gets the big local prize, but everyone else that shows up will get a holiday ornament. If you show up to all six, the ornaments can be combined into one mega ornament.”

Eapen-Bell said they’re excited to give away prizes from local Kingston businesses, including the Frontenac Club, Black Dog Hospitality Group, Luce Hair Studio, Tango Nuevo, Cocoa Bistro, The Plant Shelf, McKinnon Brewery, Cher Mere, Chris James/Curate Social, Mio Gelato + Churn, and more!

What makes this year “extreme” is that the Improbable Escapes team will only be at the location for 45 minutes.

Santa stopped by Improbable Escapes to let everyone know how the hunt will happen this year:

The IE team will release a clue on their Instagram account @improbableescapeshq. After 15 minutes, they will release another clue, and again at 30 minutes. At the 45-minute mark, the team will disappear into the night.

When a player solves the puzzle and ends up in the right location, they need to find a hidden ornament, then yell “Finders Keepers!” Someone from Improbable Escapes will approach them with their prize.

This year, the puzzles were designed by Christian Milanovic under Emma Rochon, Improbable Escapes’ head game designer. The IE team looks forward to highlighting local Kingston businesses and spreading some holiday cheer with this free outdoor puzzle challenge.

If outdoor hunts aren’t your thing, Improbable Escapes has escape rooms downtown at 303 Bagot Street, and in the west end at 500 Gardiners Rd Unit 12A. Gather friends and family and choose your immersive problem-solving adventure! With in-person and virtual options, you can spend some quality time with everyone this holiday season. Visit the Improbable Escapes website for all the escape room options, and to learn about their Board Game café, Improbable Escapes Wonderland.

The Finders Keepers hunts will take place on December 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 20. This year, the locations will be in the downtown area.

Dress for the weather and have your phones and tablets charged. We hope you’ll be among the first to shout “Finders Keepers!!”

This article is sponsored by Improbable Escapes Inc. Interested in a Business Feature on Kingstonist? Contact [email protected]